ORIENT manager Paul Brush has paid tribute to his York City counterpart, Terry Dolan, ahead of tomorrow's clash at Brisbane Road.

Despite losing leading scorer Peter Duffield to Boston and star goalkeeper Alan Fettis to Hull last month, Brush has been impressed the way Dolan has handled matters during its cash crisis.

Brush said: "York have done very well and have put in a lot of hard work to get where they are in the table.

"Obviously losing your top scorer and keeper is a massive blow, and their other players can leave at any time because their contracts haven't been honoured, so it can't be an easy atmosphere up there at the moment.

"While everybody keeps going on about Terry Venables' problems at Leeds, he has still got about 35 players, while Terry Dolan has probably got half that to work with and has done a fantastic job.

"York have had some terrific results and they come to us having won their last game, which indicates that there is a great resolve amongst their players, who are also playing for their futures.

"Whether that is with York or elsewhere who knows, but one way of keeping the club going is by doing well and then if they do need to find another side the best way of achieving that is to be at the top of their form. So we know it will be a very difficult game, because we are facing one of the top sides in the division."

Brush's main problem is who to select for tomorrow's match.

Following the recent arrival of Gary Alexander (Hull City) and Justin Miller (Ipswich Town) he has a full squad to pick from.

But he does admit that the cancellation of last weekend's game with Rochdale due to a frozen pitch won't help the O's as they go in search of their first home win over City since 1993 against a side who beat them 3-2 back in November.

Brush said: "It's nice to have lots of options because we can adjust the side to match the strengths of the opposition, as well as exploit their weaknesses. At the moment there are no real injury worries. My problem is not York, it is who I am going to pick."

Match points

Leyton Orient v City

In the last ten League outings between the clubs (home/away) City have won six with four draws.

The last time the London club beat City was in September 1993, 2-0 at Brisbane Road.

In a total of nine previous trips to this venue City have recorded three wins with two draws.

The successes were 3-1 in 1984/85, 1-0 in 1994/95 and 2-1 in the corresponding game last term when Peter Duffield and Alex Mathie were on target. The side lined up on February 19, 2002 as follows: Fettis, Edmondson, Hocking, Basham, Parkin, Potter, Bullock, Wood, Nogan, Duffield (Mathie), Proctor.

Among the players to have represented both clubs are David Dunmore, Derrick Downing, Keith Houchen and Paul Atkin.

Tomorrow's squads:

York City

(probable) Ingham, Cooper, Smith, Brass, Jones, Cowan, Potter, Bullock, Nogan, Shandran, Parkin.

Subs, from: Collinson, Fox, Wood, Wise, Mathie, Wilding.

Leyton Orient

(from) Barrett, Lockwood, Joseph, Smith, Barnard, Brazier, Hutchings, Harris, Miller, Ibehre, Alexander,

Subs, from: Morris, Tate, Martin, Jones, Hatcher

Referee: Brian Curson (Leicestershire)

Kick off: 3pm

Travel tips

YORK City supporters travelling to tomorrow's game at Leyton Orient via the train are being advised to plan their journey from Kings Cross to Brisbane Road in advance.

The Tube's Central Line is currently closed leaving fans having to make other arrangements once they arrive in the capital.

One alternative is to catch the overland train from Liverpool Street to Stratford, followed by a 20 minute bus ride to the ground.

Fans could also get the Jubilee Line to Stratford and then get a bus to Leyton High Road.

An alternative recommended by a Leyton Orient fan advises supporters to take the Victoria line to Walthamstow Central, then catch the 69, 97, 158 or 58 bus to the ground.

Updated: 11:35 Friday, February 07, 2003