DEFENDERS Scott Jones and Chris Smith were notable by their absence from the reserve team squad to face Scunthorpe United at Glanford Park tonight, kick-off 7pm.

The duo, on the comeback trail after injury, both played in last Wednesday's 2-0 defeat to Notts County.

Their absence tonight could indicate manager Terry Dolan is thinking of playing Smith and Jones in the first team on Saturday, when City will be without suspended central defenders Chris Brass and Jon Parkin for the trip to Rochdale.

Midfielder Aidan O'Kane has returned from a trial with Scarborough, while trialist Neil Ashley takes his place on the bench.

City: Collinson, Law, Okoli, Hobson, O'Kane, Cooper, Wood, Wilding, Fox, Mathie, Yalcin. Subs: Baynes, Hamshire, Ashley, Arthur, McKenzie.

Updated: 12:14 Wednesday, November 20, 2002