YORK CITY manager Billy McEwan expects his defence - currently the third meanest in the division - to come under pressure from Dagenham & Redbridge tonight.

The Daggers are the Conference's second highest scorers and full-backs Jamie Price and Dave Merris are under orders to stop the ammunition from wingers Craig Mackail-Smith and Glen Southam that has seen striker Tresor Kandol score three headers in the last two games.

The City boss said: "We will be playing one of the big boys and it's got the makings of a cracking game. They like to play and are a young side as well in certain areas of the field so we need to exploit that.

"They break forward very quickly and have players who can put dangerous crosses in. Dave Merris has come in and done well for us and he will have a big test, as will Jamie Price, because they have two wide men who will look to go at us and the rest of the team will also need to help our full-backs."

Merris continues in place of the injured Nathan Peat, who has begun jogging again but is still feeling discomfort in his calf and will have a precautionary scan this week.

Updated: 10:09 Tuesday, September 20, 2005