YORK City player-manager Chris Brass has called on Lev Yalcin to follow the example of teenage goalkeeper David Stockdale and force his way into the first team.

The Turkish Under-20 international striker netted his first senior goal in Tuesday's 2-1 defeat at Morecambe -- a match in which Stockdale also made a brilliant penalty save.

The City manager said: "David did a marvellous job again. He commanded his area well, saved the penalty and could not do too much about the goals. It was another assured performance.

"He's held his own and kept his feet on the ground since coming in and is growing in stature with each game. I hope Lev will gain confidence from his first goal.

"He has a marvellous chance to make a name for himself in the game. He got a great goal although perhaps he should make sure he does not celebrate so much when we are 2-1 down.

"He's got to now grab the opportunity as David Stockdale has done. Lev's started banging on the door.

"We've asked him to give us a spark when he comes off the bench and the next question is can he do it for 90 minutes.

"I've been harping on and harping on at people about his potential but he hasn't quite taken his opportunities.

"It was pleasing for myself to see what he is capable of and he will now have to make sure he keeps that going to forge a regular place in the first team.

"I would actually be quite disappointed if he doesn't start breaking through into the starting line-up soon."

Yalcin has waited patiently for his goal - of his 30 appearances in a City shirt all but five have been as a substitute.

He's been on the bench for all City's 13 matches this season, coming on in 11 of them, but sometimes only for a matter of minutes. He's played the equivalent of just over two senior games this season when his minutes are totalled up.

The Middlesbrough-born forward had a trial with Turkish team Antalyaspor in the summer and also attracted interest from Royal Antwerp, of Belgium, before signing a new one-year contract at Bootham Crescent.

On-loan defender David McGurk's rib injury is not as bad as first thought - but could still keep him out of the side for Saturday.

The Darlington centre-half was replaced at half time of Tuesday night's match at Morecambe and taken to hospital where it emerged he has not broken anything. But the bruising could yet rule him out of Saturday's game.

Also on the injury list are right back Graeme Law (hamstring), Steve Davis, who had a hip operation yesterday, and Chris Clarke (hamstring).

Updated: 10:11 Thursday, October 07, 2004