CLUED-UP York City boss Terry Dolan has been hailed by club chairman Douglas Craig for dramatically transforming the club's prospects in just six months.

As the City chief puts his finishing touches to preparing his side for Saturday's big kick-off at Chesterfield, Craig believes Dolan has already proved his worth.

The City boss arrived at Bootham Crescent back in February with the club staring at the abyss of Nationwide conference football. Half a year on and City are seen as among the front runners for a concerted promotion push.

Craig has already revealed he is "cautiously optimistic" about the coming season and recognises Dolan's transfer dealings, both at the end of last season and during the summer, have been a major factor.

"The great thing about Terry is, apart from his man management, his experience and background is he is very knowledgeable and clued-in with other managers and other players," said Craig.

"He has a very good knowledge of the players and is very tapped in with the movers and shakers at management level, which has made a difference in the sort of players he has brought to the club."

It was just that experience that had helped the Bootham Crescent board decide on Dolan for the job back in February.

"The board considered two people seriously and as far as I was concerned it was always going to be Terry," he said.

"I knew him from his days at Hull, I knew his chairman from his days at Hull and I knew what he did at Hull despite what their supporters thought.

"What a manager is doing at the club is not necessarily what the supporters think he is doing.

"All he got was stick for selling players but there wouldn't have been a club if he hadn't sold the players.

"Every penny they got was taken by the banks to cover their debts."

City manager Dolan will not be delving into the transfer market after losing out on trialist Phil Hadland.

The 19-year-old youngster, offered terms by Dolan as cover for the right-wing back role, has turned his back on the Minstermen and signed for Division Three rivals Rochdale, but the City chief said he was in no rush to find a replacement.

"It is not an urgent situation and we have plenty of cover," said Dolan.

The City chief was boosted on the injury front with defender Barry Jones and Gary Hobson both coming through training after missing Saturday's trip to North Ferriby with knocks.

Scott Jordan has also returned to light training after picking up a thigh injury last week.

Chris Fairclough, still recovering from knee surgery over the summer, was joining in training but Dolan insisted the club was taking a softly, softly approach with veteran defender.

Scarborough, who City play tomorrow night in the final of the North Riding Senior Cup, are in action tonight when they entertain Sunderland reserves at the McCain Stadium (7.30pm).

Peter Reid's senior squad, missing first-choice front men Niall Quinn and Kevin Phillips, are currently on tour in Holland.

However, the Black Cats' squad for tonight, led by ex-York City defender Ricky Sbragia, could include £1.6million Honduran international striker Milton Nunez, Nicky Summerbee and Alex Rae.

York City juniors are in action tonight when they play a pre-season friendly away to West Yorkshire League outfit Knaresborough Town (7pm).