York City's Turkish Under-19 international Lev Yalcin is ready to commit his future to Bootham Crescent.

Yalcin is one of four scholars that have been offered professional contracts for next season and he confirmed his intention to put pen to paper after flying back from international duty.

The Middlesbrough-born striker, who qualifies for Turkey through his father, played 70 minutes of the 2-1 U19 friendly against Ukraine and, on his return, he said: "I am hoping to sign a new contract so at the start of the season I can get on with the job I like doing."

Yalcin, who turns 19 on Thursday, is also hoping to end a 16-game wait, which only includes three starts, for his first senior goal for City before the end of the season.

He said: "I played up front for Turkey and had a few chances but did not score. I am going through a bit of a goal drought at the moment and it would be nice to get a goal or even a few before the end of the season.

"That would see me ready for next season when hopefully I can be a big part of the squad and do well for the first team."

Yalcin has been among City's 16-man squad for the last 12 Division Three games and a measure of Chris Brass' faith in the former youth team front man is that he would have been on the bench for the postponed clash against Yeovil despite not landing back at Teesside Airport until 9.30pm on Friday.

The teenage forward's connecting flight from Amsterdam was delayed but Yalcin admitted it was great to be playing for his country again after an injury-enforced absence.

He said: "It was a good game. I got a good run-out and really enjoyed it so hopefully it will give me a bit more profile.

"We played in a small ground with not too many spectators but it was a different style of football to what I normally play here and that was a great experience for me."

Turkey's U19 side will now attempt to qualify for July's UEFA Under-19 Championships in Switzerland with three qualifying matches next month.

The Turks will travel to Croatia (April 19) and Romania (April 21) before entertaining Russia (April 23) and player-boss Brass will have to decide whether he can spare Yalcin with City facing Cheltenham and Doncaster during that week.

Yalcin is the only English-based player in the Turkish U19 squad although three players do ply their trade in Germany.

The City youngster is doing his best to overcome the language barrier, however, saying: "I know bits of Turkish but most of the lads speak English. I am learning while I am there as well as getting bits off my dad."

Yalcin is also not ruling out a future in Turkish football where Galatasary, Fenerbache and Besiktas regularly play in pressure-cooker atmospheres.

But, for now, he is happy to concentrate on kick-starting his professional career at Bootham Crescent, adding: "I am just concentrating on doing a job for York and hopefully progressing but maybe, if I move on later, I might play over there."

Bristol Rovers, who entertain City on Saturday, have appointed Russell Osman and Kevan Broadhurst as joint managers until the end of the season.

Rovers are fourth from bottom in the Division Three table after Saturday's 1-0 defeat against Boston, and have gone tengames without a victory.

Rovers announced last week that Oxford's Ian Atkins is to become the club's new boss from the beginning of next season.

Former York City player Graeme Murty has retained his place in the Scotland squad to face Romania at Hampden Park on March 31.

The Reading full-back made his international debut when he came on as a substitute in the 4-0 defeat against Wales at the Millennium Stadium on February 18.

Updated: 11:11 Tuesday, March 23, 2004