Former York City ace Paul Stephenson has been ruled out of a return to Bootham Crescent tomorrow.

Hartlepool's playmaker, who usually lines up in central midfielder alongside another former Minsterman, Mark Tinkler, broke a bone in an arm two weeks ago.

It ruled him out of 'Pool's last two outings, against Torquay and Mansfield, and manager Chris Turner has now poured cold water on hopes of an early return.

Turner insists Stephenson, who in his 68 appearances for City as a winger in the 1990s made him a crowd favourite at Bootham Crescent, is likely to be sidelined for at least another three weeks.

Turner said: "There's no chance of him coming back early.

"To be honest, we have not even pencilled him in for a game yet. In a few weeks he will need an 'X'-ray to see if the break has healed and until then all he can do is running.

"He cannot get involved in any contact work."

Turner is expected to keep faith with the side that stretched Pool's unbeaten run to 14 games despite last Saturday's unconvincing 1-1 draw with Mansfield.

The Stags were just three minutes from victory only for substitute Tony Lormor to grab a late equaliser and maintain Hartlepool's surge for an automatic promotion place.

Lormor's goal, and the fact he scored for the reserves in midweek, means he could be challenging for a first-team berth.

Meanwhile, Ian Clark is also said to be jousting with Sam Shilton, son of England goalkeeping legend Peter, for the left wing-back spot.

However, while Lormor and Clark may have to bide their time at Bootham Crescent tomorrow, Turner has not ruled out making moves in the transfer market to ensure United's promotion charge stays smack on track.

The North-east side have Graeme Lee, Gary Strodder and Paul Arnison, who was on trial at City towards the end of last season, out injured, all joining Stephenson on the sidelines.

Admitted Turner: "We've still got a few loan signings available so that might be an option.

"We've had a very hectic last couple of months and I think on Saturday the players showed they have been feeling it."

York City: (possible): Alan Fettis, Marc Thompson, Barry Jones, Matt Hocking, Mark Bower, Wayne Hall, Lee Bullock, Steve Agnew, Nick Richardson, Lee Nogan, Scott Emmerson. Subs (from): Russ Howarth, David McNiven, Colin Alcide, Leigh Wood, Kieran Darlow, James Turley Injury news: Peter Duffield (broken leg), Christian Fox, Kevin Hulme, Darren Edmondson (all knee), Neville Stamp (calf), Graham Potter (ankle) Suspended: None

Hartlepool: (possible): Anthony Williams, Neil Aspin, Chris Westwood, Michael Barron, James Sharp, Sam Shilton, Tommy Miller, Lee Fitzpatrick, Kevin Henderson, Craig Midgley Subs (from): Martin Hollund, Mark Robinson, Darren Knowles, Ian Clark, Adam Boyd, Tony Lormor.Injury news: Paul Stephenson (broken arm), Paul Arnison, Graeme Lee (both knee), Gary Strodder (Achilles) Suspended: None

Updated: 13:03 Friday, March 02, 2001