York City player-manager Chris Brass has received an unexpected boost with the news that goalkeeper Mark Ovendale will not now be suspended for next Saturday's home match with Yeovil.

The City boss had believed Ovendale had picked up a one-match ban after being shown his fifth yellow card of the season at Kidderminster but the booking was accrued after the Football League deadline at the end of February.

Ovendale, who has since been cautioned again against Scunthorpe, will now only be suspended if he reaches ten bookings for the season, meaning reserve keeper Chris Porter may have to wait longer for his City debut.

Former York City goalkeeper Alan Fettis has joined Grimsby Town from Hull City on loan for the rest of the season.

City's juniors are at home to Chester in the Umbro Isotonic Youth Alliance Merit Division Northern Section tomorrow (noon).

Updated: 10:36 Friday, March 12, 2004