York City newcomer Neville Stamp is out to make first impressions count and earn an extended Bootham Crescent tenure.

The 19-year-old former Reading full-back finally signed for City almost a month after first catching the eye of York boss Terry Dolan while playing for the Minstermen's reserves.

Back then Dolan said he would be keeping tabs on the teenager's progress but felt he could not justify offering Stamp a contract when his squad was already some 27 senior players strong.

The City chief has since added Alex Mathie and Kieron Durkan to his City crew with only Andrew Dawson heading out.

But an ever-growing injury list has left Dolan short of defenders forcing the City boss to turn to Stamp, who made such a favourable impression first time around.

Signed initially on a one-month contract, Stamp insisted he was out to earn a extended deal and revealed despite not earning a contract first time around he had never given up hope of a return to York

"I knew they wanted to bring me in but I had to prove my fitness first and it all happened quite quickly, I was in Reading when I got the call so it was a bit of a shock," he admitted.

"With it being only a month I can't afford to rest on my laurels but it's good for me because I can get my fitness back again.

"I think it is a question of me proving my match fitness because I haven't played all that much lately because of injury.

"I'd love it to become more permanent. I am just getting to know the lads but the city is quality and I already have a few friends who live in the area.

"It would be a wrench to leave Reading and it would take some time to get used to it, but it's time to make a change."

Stamp was set to play for City reserves this afternoon in their Avon Insurance League division one clash at Wigan Athletic.

And after making just one substitute appearance for Reading is on stand-by to make his first full League debut for the Minstermen at Southend United on Saturday.

Dolan moved quickly today and drafted in two trialists from First Division Barnsley to bolster his depleted reserve ranks.

Centre-half Micky Welch, a Republic of Ireland Under-18 international, and midfielder Duncan Griffiths, both 19, are out of the first team picture at Oakwell while Dolan's hand has been forced by injuries and suspensions.

With up to nine players almost certainly ruled out of contention for Saturday's trip to Southend United, City's reserve team squad had been looking threadbare for the trip to the JJB Stadium.

Barry Jones, who has shaken off a virus, was drafted in for much needed match fitness ahead of Saturday's trip to Roots Hall.

York City reserves: John Collinson, Chris Gowen, Barry Jones, Mark Sertori, Micky Welch, Neville Stamp, Duncan Richards, Scott Jordan, Marc Thompson, Barry Conlon. Subs, from: Mark Hampshire, Scott Emmerson, Adam Russell, Gary Ormston, Kieran Darlow, Leigh Wood.