York City boss Terry Dolan confirmed today Peter Swan's playing career is over and declared: "We have lost our leader on the field".

The club had been sweating on the outcome of a second specialist's report after a first advised the central defender and City captain to hang up his boots.

That second one has now been delivered to Bootham Crescent confirming the worst for the former Leeds United, Hull City, Port Vale and Burnley kingpin.

"It is confirmation of what we thought for the last few weeks," said Dolan, "It is an unfortunate way to finish your career and we have lost our leader on the field."

The City skipper played only two games this season before undergoing surgery to repair damaged cartilage in his right knee.

His recovery was taking longer than expected, however, and last month Dolan said the threat to the 34-year-old's career was real.

Signed on a short-term deal at the end of last season after being released from Turf Moor, Swan marshalled City's previous leaking defence superbly and did enough to earn a new one-year deal.

He was sent-off in City's first game of this season at Chesterfield and during his suspension underwent key-hole surgery to trim the damaged cartilage suffered in City's pre-season game at North Ferriby.

Speaking to the Evening Press earlier this month, Swan was preparing himself for the worst and said: "I don't want to pack in playing football, but I have got to bite the bullet and get on with it. It helps that the club has been so supportive."

Swan and his long-time friend and former Newcastle United and Southampton full-back John Beresford plan to go into management together.

York City intermediates are in action tonight at Bootham Crescent in their delayed FA Youth Cup second round replay against Darlington (kick-off 7pm).

The two sides drew 0-0 at Feethams first time out.

After the match, football memorabilia will go under the hammer in the York City Social Club in an auction in aid of Wayne Hall's Testimonial Fund.

As reported in later editions of yesterday's Evening Press, City Under-16s central defender Chris Hogg has been selected for the England Under-15 squad to face Scotland at Chester's Deva Stadium on Friday, December 1, (7.30pm).

* Terry Dolan last night indicated their could be a summer clear-out at Bootham Crescent - see Dolan's thisisyork Internet question and answer session.