YORK City are hoping to extend Brad Halliday’s loan stay at Bootham Crescent after securing the services of Bournemouth centre-back Stephane Zubar until the end of the season.

Halliday was watched by City boss Russ Wilcox and assistant-manager Steve Torpey during Middlesbrough under-21s’ home match with Derby at Hartlepool’s Victoria Park last night.

The 19-year-old right-back played for his parent club having been suspended for his last three games following a red card for City during the 1-0 Boxing Day victory over Accrington Stanley.

His loan stay with the Minstermen is due to expire following this weekend’s home match against Stevenage when he will be challenging Marvin McCoy for a starting place.

Wilcox began discussions with Boro last night about keeping Halliday in North Yorkshire and, on his outing for Boro’s development side, the City boss added: “It was important to get Brad game time, so he will be ready to challenge for a recall against Stevenage and we are also hoping to extend his loan stay again beyond this weekend.”

Guadeloupe international Zubar remains unavailable until the February 7 home match against Dagenham & Redbridge as he completes a four-match ban for his second red card of the season.

However, Wilcox is pleased with the central-defensive options he now boasts for the remainder of the campaign with Keith Lowe, John McCombe and Dave Winfield also on the books.

“It was disappointing to see Stephane get sent off and he must obviously learn from that, but he’s done really, really well since being here,” the City boss said. “I’m delighted to extend his loan and it adds more competition to the group.

“With Dave Winfield fit again, we have got four quality centre-backs and it’s important to have that in the building.”

Wilcox is still waiting to hear whether Diego De Girolamo, who scored a hat-trick for Sheffield United U21s during a 4-1 victory over Brentford yesterday, will return to Bootham Crescent on loan.

With four loan players currently on the books, De Girolamo would take the quota back up to the five permitted in any matchday squad.

But Wilcox has also insisted that restriction would not prevent him from bringing anybody else in on the same temporary terms.

“I wouldn’t shy away from bringing in a sixth player on loan,” he revealed. “It does box you in a bit if they are all fit because one will have to sit in the stands but we haven’t got the biggest squad and, if we need to bring more people in, we will do.”

City are planning to play eight players with first-team experience, meanwhile, in tonight’s North Riding Senior Cup tie at Redcar Athletic, kick-off 7.30pm.

Halliday cannot play as Middlesbrough are also in the competition but Jason Mooney, Dave Winfield, Anthony Straker, Tom Platt, Lewis Montrose, Lindon Meikle, Ryan Jarvis and Ben Hirst are all set to feature.

“All those in need of game time will play so, hopefully when their opportunity comes, they are fit and ready to take it,” Wilcox explained.