JON McCarthy's return to Bootham Crescent today ends months of speculation linking the 32-year-old wing wonder with City.

The Minstermen will now assess the Northern Ireland international's fitness over the coming days before deciding whether to offer McCarthy, who was on week-to-week terms at Doncaster, a permanent deal.

Dolan said: "He is going to come and train with us today. Everybody knows that we have been in contact we his agent over the past few weeks.

"Unfortunately he has not been fit. When I went to watch him at Doncaster he came off with a hamstring injury, but he has assured us that has cleared up now so we're looking forward to meeting him today and taking it step by step.

"I've seen him play and know enough about him, so we will see how he is from a fitness point of view first."

There is little chance of McCarthy, who was capped 19 times by Northern Ireland, playing any part in City's clashes against Wrexham tomorrow or Hartlepool on Friday, with City wanting to have a good look at him first.

His first appearance may come for City's reserves, who take on Hull City on Wednesday.

Also set to miss out on City's upcoming League games are Tom Cowan, who travelled to Bournemouth but aggravated his calf, Gary Hobson (groin) and Stephen Brackstone (back/neck).

City's intermediates suffered a 5-0 defeat at the hands of Bradford City in the Football League Youth Alliance North East Conference.

Returning to the junior ranks this week will be Graeme Law, who has been away on international duty with Scotland's Under-19s.

Law featured for 70 minutes as the Scots beat Iceland 2-1 in their final match of a three game European Championship qualifying tournament.

Updated: 11:58 Monday, October 28, 2002