York City manager Terry Dolan was today hoping to extend impressive young defender Richard Cooper's stay at Bootham Crescent.

The 21-year-old's one-month loan deal from First Division Nottingham Forest expires after Saturday's visit of Plymouth Argyle.

Dolan was today in talks with his counterpart at the City ground, David Platt, and was confident a deal could be done that could keep the former England Under-18 international at Bootham Crescent until the end of the season.

The City chief admitted Cooper had been impressive in his seven City outings so far.

An extension to his loan deal would also buy more time for regular right wing-back Darren Edmondson, who is still some weeks away from a first team return, to make a full recovery from a lengthy knee injury.

"I cannot see why he wouldn't want to stay and I can't see why Forest wouldn't want him to stay as well," said Dolan.

"With transfer deadline day gone, he can't go anywhere else."

City's Football League future could become clearer tonight with five of the bottom seven teams in action.

The term six-pointer was probably invented for Halifax Town's encounter with Carlisle United at the Shay.

Defeat will leave the losers further adrift with Torquay United at the bottom of Division Three.

In another six-pointer, Darlington, fresh from their 2-1 victory over Scunthorpe United courtesy of two goals from former Minsterman John Williams, face fellow strugglers Exeter.

The Grecians promise to provide a stiff test having won their last five home games while the Quakers have won just twice on their travels this season.

All the teams at the wrong end of the table will be hoping Hartlepool can maintain their promotion charge and inflict defeat on Lincoln City when the two sides clash at Victoria Park.

In the final remaining Division Three game, former York City players Mark Atkins and Rob Matthews are set to make their debuts for Hull City tonight.

The Tigers will be looking to get back into the play-off zone with a victory over promotion rivals Rochdale, who are two points behind with two games in hand.

Former Chesterfield chairman Norton Lea was expecting to resume his attempt to regain control of runaway leaders Chesterfield in the High Court this morning.

Updated: 12:40 Tuesday, March 27, 2001