YORK City's early promotion credentials will be tested tomorrow with a trip to fourth-placed Accrington Stanley.

Left-back Nathan Peat (calf) and midfielder Emmanuel Panther (ankle) are both doubtful for the match, meaning McEwan's first three choices as captain could be sidelined with Mark Hotte definitely out because of his fractured shoulder.

Dave Merris will return if Peat is unfit, while Lev Yalcin is likely to continue in Panther's absence with manager Billy McEwan saying: "Lev Yalcin did himself a lot of good with his performance against Gainsborough."

McEwan is hoping to take advantage of Accrington's recent punishing schedule which saw them play three cup matches in six days.

Stanley bowed out of the LDV Vans Trophy to Rotherham last Tuesday after extra-time and penalties and then drew with Conference North strugglers Worcester City in Saturday's FA Cup fourth qualifying round tie before losing the replay on Monday night.

The City boss said: "Their tails will be between their legs after they got turned over by Worcester but we have got to be ready for the backlash.

"They have played more games than us, however, and we need to play at a good tempo to work them hard and hopefully they will tire."

Updated: 09:13 Friday, October 28, 2005