YORK City today bolstered their squad by signing young Middlesbrough midfielder Stephen Brackstone until the end of the season.

The arrival of the highly-rated playmaker is a major coup for manager Terry Dolan, who had been keen to acquire the teenager following two impressive performances for City reserves.

Brackstone, 19, comes with an impressive pedigree. The Hartlepool-born youngster has been capped by England at under-18 level and is noted for his slick passing.

However, given the size of the Middlesbrough squad, Brackstone has been deemed surplus to requirements at the Riverside where he has struggled to force a breakthrough to the senior squad.

"His contract was up at the end of the season and wasn't going to be renewed," explained Dolan.

"He is only 19 but we have taken over his contract and that means we can have a really good look at him between now and the end of the season."

Brackstone is included in the City reserve team squad that travels to face Stockport County tonight, kick-off 7pm.

City reserves: Howarth, Maley, Wise, Smith, Fielding, Darlow, Wood, Brackstone, O'Kane, McCabe, Salvati, Davies, Law, Boyce, Collinson.

Updated: 11:39 Wednesday, February 27, 2002