DARLINGTON defender David McGurk has not arrived at York City on loan despite reports from the North-East.

McGurk had been linked with a temporary move to Bootham Crescent but communications director Sophie McGill today told the Evening Press: "Unless Chris (Brass, City manager), has been able to agree a swap deal or reached another understanding with Darlington it is unlikely that anybody will be coming in on loan as the wage budget is currently full."

Meanwhile, senior City players Paul Robinson, Shaun Smith, Chris Porter and Gerry Harrison were all denied the chance to stake their first-team claims today.

The club's Pontin's League reserves' clash away at Lincoln City was called off after the hosts were reportedly unable to raise a team.

The loss of the game also thwarted manager Brass' hopes that teenagers Bryan Stewart, Lev Yalcin, Sean Davies, Matthew Coad and Adam Arthur would give him extra food for thought ahead of the Conference home clash with crisis club Northwich Victoria on Saturday.

Updated: 13:20 Wednesday, September 15, 2004