DONCASTER Rovers striker Ben Jackson has become Billy McEwan's first signing as York City manager.

Jackson has joined the Minstermen in a one-month loan deal and was in this afternoon's squad for the home Conference clash against Exeter City.

The 19-year-old forward joined Doncaster from Newcastle United in September but has made just one league appearance as a substitute in October for the Belle Vue team, as well as featuring in two LDV Vans Trophy ties.

He is currently behind Gregg Blundell, Neil Roberts, Andy Campbell and new signing Lewis Guy in the pecking order for attacking places at the League One club.

Seasoned campaigner Leo Fortune-West is also returning from injury while Guy Ipoua has been loaned out to Lincoln City and Chris Beardsley allowed to sign for Kidderminster.

Jackson will join fellow Rovers reserves team-mate Jon Maloney at KitKat Crescent and McEwan said: "He's a young lad who I am glad to have for a month."

Meanwhile, City will be without a Saturday game in four out of the next five weekends if Conference rivals Gravesend & Northfleet and Hereford United beat lower league opposition in the quarter-finals of the FA Trophy.

The duo are pencilled in to face the Minstermen on April 2 and April 9 but those dates are also scheduled to stage both legs of the Trophy semi-finals.

Should either or both sides make the last four then their Trophy involvement will take precedence over their league fixture against City.

Hereford are at home to Hucknall next Saturday while Gravesend travel to Bishop's Stortford.

City are already without a Saturday fixture next weekend with their match against Halifax having been put back to Monday night for live Sky coverage.

Billy McEwan's men will also be fixture-less on Saturday, March 26 as they travel to Accrington Stanley on Easter Monday instead.

The full quarter-final Trophy draw is: Burton Albion v Woking, Hereford United v Hucknall Town, Bishop's Stortford v Gravesend and Northfleet, Grays Athletic v Exeter City.

Updated: 08:58 Saturday, March 05, 2005