YORK City boss Terry Dolan was today sweating on the fitness of striker Jon Parkin ahead of tomorrow's crunch clash with Rushden and Diamonds, writes Dave Stanford.

The giant target man, who has scored three goals and played a vital role in City's bright start to the season, missed Tuesday night's Worthington Cup clash at Sheffield United with a calf strain.

Although Dolan remains hopeful Parkin will be fit, the former Barnsley man is touch and go. His absence could prompt a selection headache.

In the absence of the 20-year-old at Bramall Lane, Dolan resisted the temptation of handing a start to Brazilian striker Rogerio alongside Lee Nogan and Peter Duffield in a three-pronged strike force.

Instead, the City chief recalled Gary Hobson to a three-man defence and pushed wing-back Graham Potter into a more central midfield role.

Despite losing 1-0, the system worked well against the Blades and the City chief may feel no reason to change a successful formula.

However, against United the City boss was clearly mindful of playing against a First Division side that contained two highly-rated young wideman.

Rushden and Diamonds are likely to pose a different threat and with home advantage Dolan could decide to return to a three-man attack - even if Parkin misses out.

That could mean a full debut for Rogerio, although Dolan may turn to the experience of Alex Mathie. He could even hand a starting role to teenage Turkish international Levent Yalcin, who made his debut against the Blades as a second-half substitute.

City's intermediates also have home advantage tomorrow when they entertain Bradford City in the Youth Alliance Cup at the club's Wigginton Road training ground, kick-off 11am.

Updated: 11:56 Friday, September 13, 2002