Former favourite Malcolm Crosby may be a surprise candidate for the vacant York City manager's job.

Malcolm Crosby

City's board of directors have yet to decide their next move in appointing a successor to Alan Little, who was sacked on Monday.

Current player-coach Neil Thompson has been confirmed as caretaker-manager.

Already installed at the club, that would make him favourite for the post outright especially if the well-respected Thompson can inspire a revival to drag the club clear of the relegation whirlpool.

But should the board eventually plump for an outsider then several names could figure on a short-list. Among those touted are John Rudge, Steve Thompson and Chris Kamara, all with extensive managerial experience.

Crosby, who starred with the Minstermen in the early 1980s and also served as City's youth team coach, is currently number two to ex-City manager Denis Smith at First Division West Bromwich Albion.

But according to sources close to the Midlands club Crosby has yet to sign a new deal committing him to the Baggies until the year 2001.

If he continues not to sign that would free him up for the chance of answering the call at Bootham Crescent. A popular player in his four years at Bootham Crescent Crosby has previously applied for the manager's job at City.

It is understood he was in the running before the appointment of John Ward in 1991.

Ironically a year later Crosby was in charge at Sunderland, progressing from reserve team coach to caretaker-manager and then manager. He led the Wearsiders out at Wembley in the 1992 FA Cup Final against Liverpool.

Within nine months Crosby - who made more than 113 appearances for City - was sacked by Sunderland and his next job was as the coach of Gateshead in the GM Vauxhall Conference.

Just over five years ago he teamed up again with Smith at Oxford United. Some months after Smith went to West Brom in 1997 Crosby again joined him at The Hawthorns.

Meanwhile, the current City incumbent Thompson today made his first team selection for the Pontin's League game away to Huddersfield Town tonight.

Making his City debut will be 25-year-old central defender Brian Linighan. On trial from First Division Bury, the 6ft 4in Linighan is out to impress as the answer to City's lack of defensive height.

Thompson has allowed striker Martin Carruthers to return to Peterborough after a six-week loan period.

City got a boost from last night's results with the defeat of Notts County at play-off chasing Manchester City. County, whose defeat of the Minstermen precipitated the downfall of Alan Little, remain locked in the six-pack of clubs hovering just above the relegation quartet.

Wigan Athletic, who visit Bootham Crescent on Saturday, maintained their stirring form with a 2-0 win over Wrexham in the northern area final first leg of the Auto Windscreens Shield.

City reserves from Mohan, Dawson, Reed, Linighan, Keegan, Hakami, Agnew, Tinkler, Prendergast, Woods, Tolson. Subs from: Dibie, Walters, Fox, Bullock, Turley, Urwin.

City's postponed game at home to Blackpool has been re-arranged for Tuesday, April 20, 7.45pm kick-off.

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