SECOND Division Port Vale have released former York City winger Jon McCarthy after manager Brian Horton revealed plans to bring in a new striker.

Horton admitted that 'finances dictated' the move and McCarthy, who was in his second spell at Vale Park but had struggled with a hamstring injury, was shown the door to balance the books.

Earlier this season, McCarthy told the Evening Press he had been offered the chance of training with City before deciding to re-sign for Port Vale.

Ex-City midfielder Kevin Hulme is wanted by Leigh RMI boss Steve Waywell to add experience to his Conference strugglers.

The 34-year-old former Bury, Doncaster, Lincoln and Halifax player is currently unattached although he has been playing for non-league Mossley.

Forest Green Rovers manager Colin Addison, another ex-City star, has completed the signing of the former Scarborough defender Matthew Russell.

The 24-year-old played under Addison at the McCain Stadium but had recently been training with Exeter City where his dad, John Russell, is chairman.

New City signing Lee Cook was making his first appearance for the Minstermen this afternoon.

Cook, signed on a month's loan from First Division Watford, was named in the City reserve that was taking on Grimsby Town at Bootham Crescent in a Avon Insurance League Division One (east) clash, kick-off 2pm.

City top the table after three wins and one defeat so far but will be looking to get back to winning ways after also losing in the cup last week.

Fresh from their first team involvement at the weekend, Leigh Wood and Nicolas Mazzina are both named in the starting XI.

Strikers Levent Yalcin and Rogerio are named among the substitutes.

City reserves: Howarth, Okoli, Davies, Wood, Wise, Basham, Mazzina, McKenzie, Wilding, Cook, O'Kane. Subs: Collinson, Ashcroft, Baynes, Yalcin, Rogerio.

Updated: 11:08 Wednesday, October 02, 2002