FORMER Hull City left-back Nathan Peat looks poised to become Billy McEwan's next new signing.

Peat, 22, was comfortably the most impressive York City trialist during last night's 2-1 friendly defeat at UniBond League premier division outfit Frickley Athletic and afterwards McEwan expressed an interest in securing his services for the new season.

The 5ft 9in defender spent the first half of last season on loan at Lincoln City where he played 13 games for the League Two play-off finalists.

Despite first making the bench for Hull at the age of 17 in an LDV Vans Trophy match against the Minstermen, Peat has been restricted to just six appearances in six years for the Tigers and will now be hoping to kick-start his career.

McEwan looks prepared to give him that opportunity at KitKat Crescent, saying: "He's been training with us and I'm pleased with the lad's progress. We will be looking to do something with him."

Other trialists on show at last night's Worldwide Millennium Stadium clash included Joe O'Neill, James Dudgeon, Danny Ekoku, Ryan Mallon and Dave Pounder.

Ex-Preston trainee O'Neill struggled to make an impact as a striker or on the wing later in the game while Dudgeon, formerly of Scarborough and Worksop Town, was adequate alongside captain Mark Hotte who netted the visitors' goal on 70 minutes.

Ekoku - a 19-year-old striker released by Bradford City last season - came on as a second-half substiute, as did 25-year-old Pounder, who has scored 24 goals in 103 starts at Scarborough over the last five years, and Mallon, who has spent the last two seasons at Halifax but ended 2004/2005 on loan to Gainsborough Trinity.

Plus points for City were the confident, thrusting and skilful performance of Peat, glimpses of danger from Clayton Donaldson, a solid show from Hotte and touches of quality from Lev Yalcin, who patrolled the centre of midfield.

Aftewards, McEwan insisted the result was irrelevant and was unconcerned that his side conceded two goals from corners at this early stage in their pre-season preparation.

He said: "The result wasn't important in our first run-out and I'm not worried about set-plays at the minute. We have not done any organisation work yet.

"The most important thing for me is to get them fit and strong. We will take care of the tactical side nearer August 13.

"This match was about us gelling as a team and giving the trialists a run-out."

McEwan also added that no decision has yet been made on the club's captaincy despite Hotte wearing the armband against Frickley.

Updated: 10:29 Wednesday, July 20, 2005