YORK City under-18s boss Steve Torpey is hoping “three or four” first-team prospects will be showcased at Bootham Crescent tonight, kick-off 7pm.

The Minstermites will host neighbours Tadcaster at Bootham Crescent in the FA Youth Cup first qualifying round, with admission £3 for adults and £1 for concessions.

Among those set to feature for the home team are striker Ryan Edmondson, who is believed to be attracting interest from Championship club Derby, while attacker Aaron Haswell also made the bench for Saturday’s National League North trip to Chorley.

Keeper Ryan Whitley, meanwhile, has attended England training camps in the past and been on trial at Manchester City, with Mills happy to consider him as cover for senior shot-stopper Jon Worsnop, ahead of transfer-listed, net-minder Luke Simpson.

On the highly-rated trio, Torpey said: “Ryan Edmondson has been doing really well and was with the first team during pre-season. Aaron Haswell also got on the bench and big Ryan – our keeper – has already signed a professional contract, so there are three or four who are showing signs of progress and we want to see develop.

“Hopefully, a few more will follow. We’ve got a small squad this season, but have drafted two or three under-16 players in and they have coped really well.”

On the promotion of Haswell at the weekend, Torpey added: “I was really pleased for Aaron and think he fully deserved the call-up. He was fit last season, but he was right up there when we did the pre-season testing and has come back this season with a fantastic attitude.

“He’s got ability and he can also run in beyond. He doesn’t mind doing the leg work, because he’s keen and energetic, which is a major strength, as there are not many players like that around.”

Without Haswell, Torpey’s teenagers lost 1-0 in a close encounter against Oldham on Saturday morning, but the former Scunthorpe and Bristol City striker is now fully focussed on making the next round of the marquee competition, while playing down all talk of local pride, as Tadcaster look to cause an upset under the lights.

“It’s a big game, but we’re trying to keep everything as normal as possible,” Torpey explained. “They will be out to prove a point or whatever, but we just have to concentrate on what we do as young professional footballers who train every day.

“We’ve trained on the pitch before and had a practice game with the first team not so long ago, so I don’t think the players will be over-awed and I don’t want to make too much of a big deal about it. I don’t want them to think they have to do anything extra than what we always focus on.

“I’m hoping it will just be another game that we’re looking forward to, with the emphasis on the need to progress. If we can play good football we will do but, if we need to mix it up to achieve what we want to, that’s what we’ll do.”