THE acquisition of Michael Reddy on a month's loan is a massive coup for City.

Anyone who saw the striker in action during City's pre-season friendly with Sunderland could not have failed to have been impressed by his power and prowess in front of goal.

Fingers crossed, though, that he enjoys better luck with injuries than he did when he went on loan to Barnsley towards the end of last season.

The short-term move must go down as one of the shortest on record, lasting all but a few hours.

After joining the Tykes, Reddy pulled his hamstring in his first training session and promptly returned to the Stadium of Light.

York City have announced another new signing this week.

Madame Roux is the latest addition to the City's growing sporting stable, which already includes a ladies football team and various motor-racing interests.

Madame Roux, however, sees the City sporting empire moving in a new direction - she's actually a racehorse.

A dozen or so players, coaching and backroom staff have clubbed together to lease the horse, which raced at Newcastle only last month but with little success.

Chairman John Batchelor, who pointed out the money being spent on the horse was not coming from club funds, said the new addition was a mixture of business and pleasure.

"It is a bit of fun and it is just something we are having a go with," he explained.

"Of course, it's all additional exposure for the York City brand and it is also something else we can offer to sponsors, taking us into new areas."

Updated: 12:46 Saturday, November 02, 2002