FORMER Scarborough defender James Dudgeon is being given a chance to prove his worth with York City.

The strapping centre-back is to have a month's trial at KitKat Crescent before the start of the Nationwide Conference campaign.

With City boss Billy McEwan away on holiday, the move for Dudgeon was tied up by new City coach Colin Walker.

Dudgeon, 24, finished the end of last season with Nationwide North outfit Worksop Town and will be looking to re-establish himself at a higher level.

Newcastle-born Dudgeon, who stands 6ft 2in, started his career with Barnsley as a trainee when Walker was assistant director of the academy at Oakwell when it opened in 1997.

But Dudgeon's career at Oakwell was blighted by a bout of post-viral syndrome which prevented him from making a League appearance for the Tykes.

He was loaned out to Lincoln City in 2001-02 and made 22 appearances for the Imps, scoring three goals.

In summer 2003 he joined Scarborough but an ankle injury checked his progress and he made only on substitute appearance for the Seadogs.

Within a few months he moved on to Conference rivals Halifax Town where he had a fairly explosive time - receiving two red cards in the space of three months - against City and his former club Boro.

He was sent off for tripping striker Jon Parkin when the Shaymen beat City 2-1 in the LDV Vans Trophy in October and on Boxing Day was one of four players ordered off in Halifax's 1-0 victory.

McEwan, who was returning to work today after a holiday, will get the opportunity to check out Dudgeon during City's pre-season programme which kicks off at Frickey Athletic on Tuesday, July 19.

City's only new signing to date is Scarborough centre-back Mark Hotte.

Former City left-back Tom Cowan, 35, has rejected a 12-month deal with Carlisle and is expected to take up a post as football in the community officer with Scottish League club Gretna.

City's Conference rivals Halifax have appointed former Bradford City stalwart Wayne Jacobs, 36, as assistant to manager Chris Wilder. Defender Jacobs will also be registered as a player.

The Conference fixtures for 2005-06 are expected to be announced next week.

Updated: 10:33 Thursday, June 16, 2005