Exiled York City midfielder Steve Agnew is back.

OUT AND IN: City midfielder Mark Atkins, whose season started brightly with an opening day winner against Swansea, has been told he can go at the end of his loan spell; while Steve Agnew, inset, has made a shock return to the squad.

In a jolting about-turn the transfer-listed playmaker has been recalled to the senior fold for the first time by manager Neil Thompson.

Agnew takes his place in the squad for tomorrow's visit from another struggling lower reaches outfit, Leyton Orient. It's his first call-up to the senior ranks since the 2-0 defeat in Bristol Rovers last March after which he put in a transfer request.

And in another move that could prise the door open further for the reprieved Agnew, City have decided to cut loose present midfielder Mark Atkins once his three-month contract expires in three weeks.

That would indicate Agnew may once more have a future at Bootham Crescent when the 'exit sign' was squarely in his sights.

Of his 'pardon' for the 33-year-old Agnew, Thompson ventured: "He has shown true professionalism and his attitude has been spot-on in what have been difficult circumstances.

"He has been to clubs here, there and everywhere, but he has never complained, he has not moped about. He has just got on with it and that deserves a reward."

The City manager added he was not taking Agnew off the transfer-list. "He is quite free to go if he gets anything sorted. But what went on last year has gone and I've told him I'm going to consider him for tomorrow's game."

Agnew has been out in the cold for just over seven months since Thompson's predecessor Alan Little agreed to the midfielder's transfer plea.

Thompson continued to exclude the one-time Blackburn, Barnsley and Sunderland schemer who was on the verge of joining Carlisle before the start of this season and for whom a switch to Hull City similarly evaporated earlier this week.

City's desire not to hang on to Atkins was also confirmed by the City boss.

"We are not going to renew Mark's terms at the end of the three months.

"The pace of the game in this division does not quite suit him and he was in total agreement. Telling him now is only right as it gives him a chance of getting elsewhere."

Atkins' imminent departure could benefit both Agnew or fit-again Scott Jordan, who has also been added to tomorrow's squad after a fine 45-minute outing in a fine reserves' win at Stockport in midweek.

City's £100,000 striker Barry Conlon, meanwhile, is rated doubtful for the visit of the O's.

Conlon missed last week's abject 2-2 draw with bottom club Chester City because of an ankle injury suffered in training. He could be absent for the second successive week.

So Thompson could turn to either Marc Williams or John Williams after both figured well in the second-string game at Stockport. Marc Williams briefly delighted the Crescent faithful with his first goal of the season less than two minutes after coming on against Chester.

Leyton Orient have also been scarred by a poor start in which they have notched just two wins and two draws from their first ten games. Last season's beaten play-off finalists, who hover just a point above City, were humbled 5-0 at Plymouth a week ago.

Declared Thompson: "We were very, very poor against Chester.

"It was the worst performance since I have been here and it baffles me to have seen seven or eight players so off their game.

"But now we have a chance to put it right in another home game. We have got to get a win."

Steve eyes rapid rise

A swift rise for York City was forecast by back in harness Steve Agnew.

Stuck in playing limbo for all of this season Agnew drew on his experience of other basement outfits to reinforce his view of an upwardly mobile move by the Minstermen.

But for snags over contract talks Agnew may well have been wearing the colours of either Carlisle United or Hull City this term. Projected moves to both fell through.

Now, recalled by City for the visit of Leyton Orient to Bootham Crescent tomorrow, he was again contemplating applying his experience to City's cause.

Said Agnew: "It's not been a good start for us, but I've been to other clubs this season and we are no less talented than them.

"I can't see why the gap can't be closed and we go up the ladder rather quickly."

While surprised to have been given a 'second chance' Agnew, who still has 20 months to run of his existing City contract, was thrilled to be involved again.

"The manager said he was pleased with the way I performed in the reserves this week.

"I know I have played reasonably well and when he said he wanted to consider me I told him I'm prepared to do a job whenever called upon," said Agnew.

"It's good to be back. I've had a lot of Saturdays off. If I am involved in whatever capacity I will do my best to help the team climb up the League, which is the main aim."

York City v Leyton Orient

The London club have made six previous League visits, winning twice and drawing once.

The clubs first met in the old second division and Orient won on their first two trips to Bootham Crescent: 1-0 in 1975-75 ans 2-0 in 1975-76.

In 1984-85 City won a fixture in the old third division 2-1 with goals from Dale Banton and Derek Hood. The fourth division encounter in 1988-89 ended 1-1 with Iain Dunn netting City's equaliser.

The last two games at York resulted in a 3-0 win for City in 1993-94 thanks to goals from Ian Blackstone (2) and Paul Barnes, and a 4-1 success in 1994-95 when Paul Baker netted twice with Glenn Naylor and an own goal making up the tally.

Tomorrow's Teams

Division Three at Bootham Crescent

York City from Mimms, Hocking, Hall, Atkins, Sertori, Fairclough, Fox, Hulme, Ormerod, Turley, Bullock, Howarth, Jones, Garratt, M Williams, J Williams, Conlon, Jordan, Agnew.

Leyton Orient from Bayes, Joseph, Downer, Smith, Clark, Morrison, Beall, Ampadu, Low, Simba, Inglethorpe, Andrews, Canham, Hockton, Richards, Watts.

See York City Mail

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