FORMER York City player-boss Neil Thompson was expected to be announced as Scarborough's new manager this afternoon.

As reported in the Evening Press, current boss Colin Addison will step down following tonight's friendly with Manchester United, after agreeing a settlement with the club.

And 36-year-old Thompson, who returned to the McCain Stadium as a player towards the end of last season after leaving City by mutual consent in February, has emerged as the clear favourite to succeed him.

Addison's assistant, Ray McHale and youth team coach Ian Kerr had also been in the frame.

If appointed, Thompson's first games in charge will be against Irish opposition, with Boro setting off on a mini-tour of the Emerald Isle early tomorrow.

They are set to play Tipperary, Waterford and late addition to the list Cork City, who have recently appointed Derek Mountfield - who, coincidentally, was acting manager at Boro before Addison took over in February 1999 - as boss.

Thompson, meanwhile, is doubtful for tonight's friendly with a Manchester United XI, as he is still recovering from a calf strain. Striker Chris Tate, the former York City junior, is also a doubt with an Achilles problem, though defender Shaun Rennison is expected to be okay after suffering a knock in training.

Also set to be given another run-out is German trialist Fini Maric, the 19-year-old striker who scored the winning penalty in the shoot-out with Middlesbrough after the two sides had drawn 1-1 in the North Riding Senior Cup last week.

United are expected to field a team of trainees and reserves.

Scarborough: from Woods, Russell, Ingram, Jones, Ellender, Betts, Stoker, Brodie, Williams, Morris, Jaric, Rennison, Tate, Gildea, Newton.

peter.martini@ycp.co.uk