York City midfielder Stephen Brackstone is keeping his fingers crossed for a return to duty at table-toppers Hartlepool tonight in a game of family fortunes.

Brackstone has declared himself fit and available for selection after missing City's last three outings with a neck and back problem.

And the young playmaker has incentives aplenty for wanting to knock Pool of their lofty perch and get City's season firmly back on track.

Not only is Brackstone from Hartlepool but his younger brother, John, a left-back, is a second-year youth trainee with United.

"He's been giving me a bit of stick, especially because they have been doing so well, so it would be great to get a result and put one over on him," said the 20-year-old former England youth international.

"Obviously, I'd love to play in any case. It's a big game and they are doing very well and are top of the league. But we've not been doing too badly and there's no reason why we can't go up there and get a result."

He added: "Of course, it would also be nice to play because they are my home-town club.

"It's always one of the first results I look out for as soon as our game is over, although this time I'm hoping they get beat.

"I'll have a lot of family and friends there. I've still got mates who regularly go to their games and watch them but, hopefully, tonight they will all be supporting York City."

Before his recent injury, Brackstone had been an ever present in the City midfield.

Updated: 12:34 Friday, November 01, 2002