Exiled former York City player/manager Chris Brass will be allowed to play in the FA Cup for Harrogate Town - despite permission being previously refused by City boss Billy McEwan.

The 30-year-old had a first loan spell at the Nationwide North side cut short by his parent club ahead of Town's second round qualifying game against Great Harwood Town.

But he has returned to Wetherby Road - and has now been given the green light to play in the fourth round qualifier against Scarborough and beyond, if necessary.

Town boss Neil Aspin said: "It was part of the agreement that he be allowed to play in the cup because as a manager I don't want to keep having to switch the team around every other game.

"I'm delighted to have another player on board - especially one of his calibre. It's beneficial to York, too, because it's putting him in the shop window."

But despite the lure of the cup next week, Aspin believes that players' minds will be focused on the two home league games between now and then with the knowledge that points win places for the lucrative clash.

He said: "Everybody's talking about the cup game coming up, and it is the biggest game of the season.

"But there's two games before then and if players were to play badly, they know they will be in danger of losing their place."

The Town line-up for tomorrow's match against resurgent Vauxhall Motors will be named as late as possible with Chris Ellerker an injury doubt and Gareth Grant stricken with flu, but Brass (pictured left) is expected to come into the squad.

Richard Dunning, meanwhile, has had his operation on his knee cartilage problem and is about three to four weeks away from making a return.

Goole are likely to stick with the 'scratch' side that hammered Shepshed Dynamo on Wednesday for tomorrow's trip up the east coast to Bridlington in the only UniBond League division one game of the day.

Phil Walker and Dave Watts - both centre-halves by trade - will remain at left and right-back, and the young midfield quartet, including 28-year-old Jimmy Gore, will continue despite the signing of former Arsenal and Bradford City centre midfielder Dave Donaldson, who will start on the bench. Dale Rimmington has also re-signed, and looked good in the midweek win.

Goalkeeper Chris Hill will return despite Simon Cook's clean sheet in the only alteration, leaving Ian McLean, Mark Willoughby and Gary Shaw out in the cold after missing the midweek match.

Tadcaster Albion hot-shot Matty Howgate is on the road to recovery from glandular fever and could be back before Christmas if a short run-out in the second team goes well this weekend.

Other injuries ahead of their Northern Counties East League division one game at Yorkshire Amateur, something of a bogey team for the Brewers, include Simon Booker, Steve Mallory and Danny Pitts. Pete Vasey will make his league debut after signing from Selby Town.

In the NCEL premier division, Selby go to Sheffield for the second time in four days after a midweek 2-2 draw at Hallam, Harrogate Railway are at Shirebrook Town and Pickering Town get a rare home outing against lowly Hallam.

Updated: 09:36 Friday, October 14, 2005