A DECLARATION of fitness from defender Gary Hobson means York City could stick to their tried and tested tactics at Exeter City tomorrow.

Hobson limped out of last Saturday's 1-0 defeat at home to Oxford with a hamstring strain and was rated extremely doubtful for the long trip to Devon.

With wing-back Tom Cowan suspended, manager Terry Dolan was running short of left-sided defenders and a change to a 4-4-2 or 4-3-3 formation looked likely.

However, Hobson made a surprise return to training yesterday and provided he suffers no reaction is expected to keep his place in a back three alongside Chris Brass and Chris Smith.

Graham Potter is the obvious candidate to take over from Cowan in the left-wing back role, however the arrival of left-side attacker Lee Coook on a month's loan has certainly given Dolan fresh options.

The City manager, while giving little away as to his starting line-up, has indicated Cook will probably start tomorrow.

It is doubtful the on-loan Watford winger will be asked to curb his attacking skills in a more defensive left-wing back role, nor is it likely he will start in the middle of midfield.

Stephen Brackstone has shaken off the stomach bug that ruled him out last week and the former Middlesbrough youngster is odds-on to resume his partnership Lee Bullock in the centre of the park.

What seems more likely is Cook will start up front in City's three-pronged attack, meaning one of Jon Parkin, Peter Duffield or Lee Nogan will step down to the bench.

City have struggled for goals in recent games and Cook's pace and directness could prove important as Dolan looks to re-ignite city's missing 'spark'.

"He gives us something different in the team, and without giving too much away that tells you he might be playing on Saturday," said Dolan.

"There'll be at least one change in the team with Tom Cowan suspended and Lee coming into the team, but that's all I'm saying."

He added: "We have done a lot of work this week.

"There are two sides to every game. We haven't scored enough goals in the last few games but we also haven't worked hard enough to close down the opposition.

"The first priority is to stop the opposition from playing and as a team we have got to get that better mentality. We have worked on that a lot this week.

"Exeter have got a lot of experience in the team, they are probably the most experienced team we have faced so far.

"They will be a difficult team to beat, that is for sure. But we have done quite well in our long trips recently so hopefully that will continue."

Updated: 10:38 Friday, October 04, 2002