YORK City new recruit Michael Reddy is expected to start tonight's crunch clash at Hartlepool United (7.45pm) on the bench.

As revealed on the Evening Press's award-winning website www.thisisyork.co.uk, manager Terry Dolan has signed the highly-rated Sunderland striker on a month's loan.

The deal for the Irish Under-21 international was concluded late yesterday afternoon, meaning Reddy will only meet up with his new City team-mates just prior to kick-off.

Although Dolan has drafted the 22-year-old straight into tonight's squad, his lack of match preparation would suggest he will be a substitute.

However, Dolan was clearly delighted to have landed Reddy, a player he admits to have been tracking for some time and likens to last season's top scorer and Sunderland team-mate Michael Proctor.

"He is a pacey striker, in a similar mould to Proctor who we had last year and I am delighted he is joining us," enthused the City chief.

"He has only just come back from a hamstring injury but he has played the last two or three reserve games and from Sunderland's point of view this move will give him match practice."

With Reddy and Stephen Brackstone, who has recovered from a neck problem, added to the squad, Dolan confirmed defender Scott Jones has been ruled out with the hamstring strain suffered against Wrexham in midweek.

With Gary Hobson and Tom Cowan both still sidelined, Chris Smith, who came off the bench on Tuesday, would be an obvious replacement in the heart of the defence although Jon Parkin, who had a spell on loan at Hartlepool last season, could also drop back.

Dolan was giving little away about his likely line-up, although he indicated he would be sticking with a 4-4-2 formation.

"It is going to be a big, big test but the players are looking forward to it and it is a good challenge for us," said Dolan.

"We need to get back to winning ways as quickly as we can.

"It is still tight and as long as it is tight a couple of wins can shoot us up the table.

"The players have to believe in what they are doing but there is no doubt we have had a month where things have just not gone for us.

"I am not unduly worried. I have belief in all the players and I am sure we can turn it around."

Midfielder Lee Bullock is expected to be fit after being withdrawn in the second half on Tuesday with a hamstring problem but Dolan has decided against adding Jon McCarthy to the squad.

The winger played in the reserves on Wednesday but the City manager is anxious not to rush McCarthy back too soon.

Reddy, 22, is well known to City fans after scoring twice for the Black Cats against the Minstermen in Paul Stancliffe's testimonial game earlier this year.

Last season, he played five games on loan at Hull City, scoring four goals.

He has made ten first-team league outings for Sunderland, scoring once, and has also enjoyed a productive spell on loan at Swindon.

Dolan said the signing was an indication that City's special agreement with Sunderland, whereby the Minstermen have enjoyed special preference on loan signings from the Stadium of Light, was still in place following Peter Reid's sacking and the instalment of Howard Wilkinson as boss.

Hartlepool have strengthened their squad ahead of tonight's visit of the Minstermen to Victoria Park.

Hartlepool boss Chris Turner, who has been linked with the vacant job at Sheffield Wednesday, has signed Brian Barry-Murphy, 24, from Preston on a month's loan.

Updated: 12:31 Friday, November 01, 2002