Southend United's former Minstermen stars Gordon Connelly and Mark Tinkler are on the verge of linking up with Division Three rivals Carlisle United.

Both Tinkler and Connelly were at Brunton Park yesterday for talks with Carlisle boss Ian Atkins after falling out of favour with new Shrimpers supremo Dave Webb.

Winger Connelly has failed to impress at Roots Hall since former City chief Alan Little took him south for around £50,000 during the summer of 1999 and was placed on the transfer list by Webb earlier this week.

Tinkler's expected departure would be more of a surprise, particularly as he scored his first goal for the Shrimpers in last week's 2-2 draw at Blackpool.

The former Leeds United midfielder, an £85,000 acquisition by City in March 1997, has not been placed on the transfer list but Webb is anxious to trim his wage bill and bring in his own players.

However, should Tinkler return north it will leave Webb looking to youth team players and youngsters to fill the midfield void tomorrow - his first home match in charge since replacing Little at the end of last month.

His first team squad is already small and was depleted further when winger Scott Houghton was shown the door and linked up with Leyton Orient this week.

Former York City favourite Neil Tolson will miss lining up against his old club, ruled out with a long-standing groin injury that could need surgery.

However, some Minstermen connections remain at Roots Hall.

Leading the attack will be hot-shot Martin Carruthers, who spent an unproductive loan spell at Bootham Crescent last year, while on the bench will be goalkeeper Mark Prudhoe, who made two loan appearances for City in 1997 Goalkeeper Mel Capleton is out for the season after breaking his leg in a reserve team match earlier this month leading to Prudhoe's call-up.

Southend are hoping for a party atmosphere and a crowd of more than 5,000 for Webb's first home game in charge.

Webb, who previously led Southend from the old fourth Division to the top of the Second, replaced Little, who was sacked despite the Shrimpers having gone five games unbeaten. Last Saturday's draw at Blackpool extended that run to seven.

York City intermediates will be looking to maintain the form that saw them dispatch with Hull City 4-1 last Saturday when they entertain their counterparts from Bradford at the club's Wigginton Road training ground tomorrow, kick-off 11am.

The City youngsters will be looking for a good performance ahead of their rearranged FA Youth Cup tie at Mansfield on Wednesday.