YORK City powerhouse Jon Parkin can't wait to get back into the fold for the Minstermen's promotion run-in.

Former Barnsley striker Parkin has been a frustrated spectator for City's past two matches - the draws with Rochdale and Carlisle - through suspension for the accumulation of ten bookings.

But now the burly front-man is available for selection for tomorrow's crucial trip to play-off rivals Lincoln City and he is determined to make up for lost time.

"I'm available again and really looking forward to being back involved," City's leading scorer told the Evening Press.

"It seems like ages since I last played because of the week off after Southend and then this ban, so I can't wait to get going again for the last four games.

"I went to the home game on Saturday and then I travelled to Carlisle and it was really frustrating to watch as I couldn't do anything to help."

In his absence, Parkin has seen Sunderland loanee Keith Graydon settle into his forward role, while another of boss Terry Dolan's raids into the temporary transfer market, Burnley's Anthony Shandran, struck a 25-year belter against Carlisle.

Now Parkin will have to see whether he is called straight back into the fold, or whether he will have to settle for being an impact player off the bench.

"The gaffer's not mentioned anything to me about starting so I will just have to wait and see," said Parkin.

"Hopefully I'll be involved. It will be interesting to see what the gaffer does especially after Shandy's (Shandran's) goal against Carlisle. It was a cracker."

Having scored goals this season and been able to offer cover with height and strength at the back for corners and free-kicks, Parkin's versatility for the Minstermen has been crucial to their success.

And with Lincoln expected to push giant centre-half Ben Futcher forward at every opportunity, Parkin could come into attack - or even defence - to combat that.

However, while Parkin is left to wait and wonder whether he will start, City chief Dolan has given an indication that the 21-year-old will play a positive role.

"I think we have missed Jon because he gives us that alternative," conceded Dolan.

"He is back for tomorrow and that will give us another option.

"It is nice now to have Lee Nogan, Keith Graydon, Anthony Shandran and Jon Parkin available for the remaining four games."

While Parkin comes back into the squad, it looks likely that on-loan Sunderland 'keeper Micheal Ingham will lose out in his race to be fit to play.

Ingham, who has been in fantastic form since teaming up at Bootham Crescent, picked up a shoulder injury which ruled him out of the trip to Carlisle.

Some frantic wheeling and dealing saw Halifax-born Reading shot-stopper Phil Whitehead called in on a seven-day loan at late notice and he is set to retain his place in the starting line-up.

Updated: 10:57 Friday, April 18, 2003