TRANSFER-LISTED pair Aidan Connolly and Ben Clappison have both been welcomed back into the York City fold by new boss Martin Gray.

Former City chief Gary Mills had previously revealed that Connolly did not want to play for the club any more and he was banished to train with the youth team, alongside the unwanted Clappison.

But the ex-Dundee United winger has now put himself forward for selection under Gray, who insisted that the whole squad will get an equal chance to impress him.

“It’s a fresh start for everybody,” Gray pointed out. “The players have been told they will be judged in training and, if they work hard, they’ll get a chance.

“If they don’t, they will be moved on. I’ve spoken to Aidan and he’s very good technically.

“He’s a fantastic player – there’s no question about that. It’s now mine and (sporting director) Dave (Penney)’s job to get the best out of that type of player.”

Gray will also run the rule over the club’s under-18 hopefuls, meanwhile, during tomorrow night’s FA Youth Cup home clash against Harrogate Railway.

“I’ve had five minutes with Steve Torpey and the youth team and already know there are one or two really good prospects coming through,” the former Darlington boss added. “I’m really looking forward to watching them.

“Youth is a big thing for me and the club has a reputation for producing young players, which helps financially. Academy football is obviously different to National League North, but I’ve already told the lads that we will be looking to introduce two or three of them into training with the first team every Monday, so it gets them used to that first-team environment.”