One-Time York City hot-shot Jonathan Greening has landed a huge vote of confidence from Alex Ferguson, boss of new Premiership champions and treble-chasing Manchester United. With the Red Devils just under four days' away from the FA Cup final against Newcastle at Wembley, and a week adrift of their European Champions' League duel with crack German club Bayern Munich as the third leg of an historic treble, Greening is making rapid steps.

Manager Ferguson is so delighted with the impact made by the 20-year-old striker, who 15 months ago moved to Old Trafford in a deal that could eventually yield City £1.6million, that I understand he has offered Greening a significant extension to his contract, which still has two years to run.

Striker Greening is also in the prizes with England's treble-rousers.

He has scooped the reserves' player of the year award to add to the one in the same category provided by the mega-club's television channel, MUTV.

Meanwhile, new manager Neil Thompson has fixed pre-season friendly clashes for City against clubs currently leader-less.

City's pre-season programme will feature friendly clashes against Nationwide Division One outfits Barnsley and Sheffield United.

Barnsley, the club from where Thompson joined the Minstermen just over a year ago initially on loan, visit Bootham Crescent on Saturday, July 24. They Tykes are without a manager since sacking John Hendrie at the end of last season.

Sheffield United, whose boss Steve Bruce quit the club this week, meanwhile will play at City three days later on Tuesday, July 27.

Said Thompson of the brace of all-Yorkshire clashes; "They are good testing games against good opposition."

The City boss is still trying to arrange two other friendlies on the Saturdays of July 17 and July 31 to further hone his new-look side for the scrap to get out of Division Three at the first attempt, while talks are going on to line up a benefit game for Andy McMillan's testimonial year.

Other games for City include a trip to Selby Town on July 10; at home to a York FA representative side to commemorate their centenary on Wednesday, July 14; and the North Riding Senior Cup semi-final away to Conference club Scarborough on Thursday, July 15.

There are also trips to Harrogate Town on July 28 and at Gainsborough Trinity on August 3.

City return to pre-season training on Thursday, July 1, and for the first time in eight years there will be no pre-season tour away, or tournament at home.

However, Thompson and his men will be off for a four-day training camp at Ampleforth College from July 19-22.

Thompson's recruitment programme continues this week as City aim to entice Notts County's former Leeds United defender Chris Fairclough to Bootham Crescent on full-time terms along with Matt Hocking from Hull City. Both have returned to their respective clubs after their loan spells with the Minstermen.

"We are definitely interested and there may be some developments on Hocking later this week," said Thompson.

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