THE chances of World Cup and Euro 2000 winner Christian Karembeu putting in an appearance at Bootham Crescent tonight remain touch and go.

The former Real Madrid ace linked up with his new Middlesbrough team mates for the first time yesterday.

According to sources on Teesside, Boro manager Bryan Robson has not ruled out the French international appearing tonight.

But the Middlesbrough chief has indicated Karembeu will make his first appearance in a Boro shirt on Sunday, in Robbie Mustoe's testimonial match at the Riverside against Borussia Dortmund.

Middlesbrough's two newest signings, strikers Noel Whelan and Joseph-Desire Job, are also expected to make their first appearances in Mustoe's testimonial.

Whelan, 25, underwent a medical yesterday before finally sealing his £2million switch from Coventry City.

Cameroon international Job has been on trial in Teesside for the last month but finally completed a £3million move from French club Lens.

However, Robson has used York City as a testing ground for his new signings before.

In 1997, Paul Merson was handed his Middlesbrough debut in Steve Tutill's testimonial match following his £5million move from Arsenal.

Former Manchester United defender Gary Pallister (shin) and Republic of Ireland international Curtis Fleming (knee) have withdrawn from the squad for tonight through injury, while striker Brian Deane is also rated extremely doubtful.

The former Leeds and Benfica striker twisted an ankle in Boro's 3-1 friendly win over Durham City at the weekend.

Defender Robbie Stockdale is expected to be drafted into the squad but there is no place for striker Anthony Ormerod, who spent three months on loan at York City last season.

With today being Yorkshire Day, Burton Stone Lane florists Daisy Chain have agreed to donate 30 white roses that the City players will hand out to the crowd prior to kick-off.

Tonight's match is not all ticket and prices are: £8 adults and £5 concessions (juniors and pensioners) for seats in the main stand, family stand and enclosure, and £7 and £4 for the terracing.

Tonight's squads

York City: Fettis, Edmondson, Swan, Jones, Hocking, Hall, Fox, Bullock, Agnew, Conlon, Duffield. Subs, from: Howarth, Jordan, Hadland, Potter, McNiven, Alcide, Sertori, Hulme

Middlesbrough: Schwarzer, Crossley, Stamp, Vickers, Cooper, Okon, Summerbell, Mustoe, Maddison, Ricard, Campbell, Armstrong, Gavin, O'Neill, Marinelli, Stockdale.

Referee: Roger Fernandiz (Doncaster)

Kick-off: 7.45pm