YORK City boss Billy McEwan is expecting inquiries for his players once the transfer window reopens on January 1.

League Two outfit Barnet have been linked with top scorer Andy Bishop as the Bees are looking for a new striker and manager Paul Fairclough has worked with City's ten-goal marksman at England National Game XI level.

McEwan has confirmed that the North London club have made no approach for Bishop, who is currently sidelined with a foot injury, but added that he would not be surprised if they were interested.

He also admitted that he is prepared for a number of New Year offers for other players.

McEwan said: "We have not heard anything from Barnet about Andy Bishop but you don't know what goes on behind the scenes with players and agents. If other clubs are chasing our players it means we are doing something right and I expect there's a bit of interest in a few of our players."

The City manager will also target new players next month but Gainsborough Trinity centre-back Richard Pell will not be joining the KitKat Crescent ranks.

Pell, 23, impressed McEwan when City played at Gainsborough in the fourth qualifying round of the FA Cup and during scouting missions before and after the tie.

The Minstermen have offered the former Chesterfield trainee a contract but Pell, who is studying for a physiotherapist degree at Loughborough, has elected to stay in part-time football and concentrate on a career outside of playing.

McEwan said: "We were interested in the boy because he did well against us and when we watched him three or four times. We made him an offer but he decided he didn't want to pursue it.

"He's an intelligent boy who wants to carry on with his career as a physiotherapist and I can understand that. We don't have any young defenders, apart from Darren Hollingsworth, underneath the first team but our situation has improved with Mark Hotte and James Dudgeon coming back from injury."

McEwan has himself been linked with the vacant post at Rotherham following the weekend dismissal of Mick Harford at Millmoor.

The City boss along with former Burnley and Gillingham chief Stan Ternant, Halifax manager Chris Wilder, one-time Millers striker Bobby Williamson and ex-Hartlepool boss Neale Cooper are all in the frame.

Rotherham, languishing in 22nd place in League One, don't appear to be in a rush to name their new man.

Chairman Peter Ruchniewicz has asked United fans to be patient but the Millmoor board are hoping to make an announcement about the management situation later this week.

Northwich, City's opponents in the FA Trophy on Saturday, are in FA Cup second round replay action tonight at home to Woking.

Updated: 09:46 Tuesday, December 13, 2005