YORK City captain Mark Hotte has been placed on a calcium diet by manager Billy McEwan to help speed his recovery from a fractured shoulder.

Hotte suffered the injury during his first Minstermen start in six weeks against Canvey Island at KitKat Crescent two weeks ago.

The City skipper had to bide his time for a recall after losing his place to James Dudgeon but his comeback lasted just 33 minutes when a collision with Canvey midfielder Mario Noto left him clutching his shoulder.

Doctors have predicted that Hotte could be sidelined for two months but McEwan is hoping that the diet, which will involve eating lots of egg and cheese, could speed up the process.

The City manager, who has studied physiology, psychology and physiotherapy, had first-hand experience of the diet as a player when it helped him return from a broken leg injury in little more than a month.

McEwan said: "When I broke my leg, I got on a calcium diet and I was back in four-and-a-half weeks. It makes your bones heal quicker by increasing their density.

"Mark will be taking plenty of Vitamin 'B' and eating lots of egg, cheese and other dairy products.

"If he went to hospital for an operation he would be out for much longer.

"He's played 30 or 35 games every season since being a professional so I suppose he was due a bad injury but he's not old. He's 27 and he should recover quickly if he's on the calcium diet."

Added the City manager: "He can also exercise and sometimes you can work harder when you're out injured than you can if you have to play games.

"Patience is hard when you are a footballer and hopefully we can get him back as soon as possible."

McEwan is continuing to step up his search for a loan replacement for ex-Scarborough defender Hotte with youngsters Michael Staley and Darren Hollingsworth the only current centre-back cover for Dudgeon and David McGurk.

The City boss said: "We are continuing to watch players at matches every week and a few deals have fallen through recently but, if we do it, it has also got to be the right thing for the club and the team.

"There are money considerations and also whether players will be allowed to play in cup ties."

Updated: 09:28 Saturday, October 29, 2005