YORK City's relationship with Premiership club Sunderland has paid dividends again with 20-year-old Irish striker Keith Graydon joining on a month's loan from the Black Cats.

The Dublin-born frontman, described as a 'small, busy player', teamed up with the Minstermen for the first time today and is immediately added to the squad for Bournemouth,

City chief Terry Dolan had hoped to bring Graydon to the club earlier in the week having watched him in action for the Sunderland reserves, only for the managerial changes at the Stadium of Light to halt the deal.

However, Dolan went back to the Premiership strugglers yesterday and following discussions with new boss Mick McCarthy he was given permission to take Graydon on a month-long deal.

Dolan said: "I am watching Sunderland players all the time because of the agreement that we have with them.

"I asked if we could take him on a month's loan earlier in the week, but with all the changes at Sunderland this week it was put on hold.

"However, I had a good chat with Mick McCarthy yesterday and we agreed for him to come to us for a month.

"The relationship with Sunderland is good for the player and good for us."

Dolan has not said whether Graydon will be in the starting line-up, but he is definitely in the squad with Alex Mathie dropping out.

Lee Nogan, who only passed a late fitness before the 3-1 win over Cambridge, has shaken off a foot injury, while Jon Parkin and Anthony Shandran have trained all week despite picking up knocks.

Bournemouth arrive at Bootham Crescent tomorrow in pole position to claim the third automatic promotion spot.

However, City will be buoyed by the Cherries poor away record that has seen them fail to register a victory on their travels this year.

Bournemouth drew 1-1 at Rochdale in midweek to cement their third-place standing in Division Three.

However, Sean O'Driscoll's side have not won away from Dean Court in ten games and since November 2002.

And while the Cherries occupy the third and final automatic promotion spot behind leaders Hartlepool and second-placed Rushden, they are just four points ahead of City, who lie in 10th place.

O'Driscoll, who pipped City chief Terry Dolan to the manager of the month award for February, is expected to be without Jason Tindall and Warren Feeney. Former Leeds striker Feeney missed the midweek trip to Spotland and last Saturday's 2-0 win over Darlington with a hamstring strain and is rated 50:50 for tomorrow's clash.

Midfielder Tindall also missed both games with an ankle problem and is almost certainly ruled out.

Updated: 10:44 Friday, March 14, 2003