York City chief Terry Dolan is promising to give every one of his 18-man squad at least 45 minutes in tonight's pre-season friendly at Newcastle Town (kick-off 7.30pm).

Speaking to the Evening Press from the squad's training camp at Keele University, Dolan said his preparations for the coming season were now stepping up a gear.

"Everybody will get a run out and everybody will get at least half a game," said Dolan. "The training and fitness work we have been doing has got a little bit sharper now and the games that are coming up can only be of benefit."

"Tonight is chance for us to push our fitness and, as I have been saying, it is the next game as we look ahead to August 12.

"But it is convenient that Newcastle are right on the doorstep to our stay here at Keele.

"And the match will give me another chance to look at the trialists (David McNiven and Phil Hadland) playing alongside more senior players and I am looking forward to that."

With three first team strikers - Colin Alcide, John Williams and James Turley - left behind in York Dolan insisted defender-cum-striker Mark Sertori would be continuing in his advanced role for the coming season

"Very much so," said the York manager. "Mark is a player who always gives 100 per cent and if you do that then you have always got a chance."

Saturday's clash with Manchester United and next Tuesday's game with Middlesbrough had got everyone buzzing said the City boss.

"But there would be something wrong if players didn't look forward to these type of games," he reasoned.

Newcastle have got a few scores to settle with Dolan.

The non-league outfit were a prominent feature in Hull City's pre-season programme when Dolan was manager at Boothferry Park.

"Terry used to enjoy coming here," explained Newcastle Town vice-chairman Ken Walshaw. "It was always a good opportunity to score quite a few goals, although I have to say that was when Dean Windass was knocking them in for Hull City.

"We have connections going back a long way with Terry and I am sure he enjoys coming here.

"Keele has got excellent facilities which are used by the FA and the Premier League for a number of events"

The chances of City running riot seem slim over Newcastle, however.

In their first pre-season friendly, Newcastle held Port Vale to a 1-1 draw and are an ambitious club with intentions of climbing up the non-league pyramid.

Town play in the First North West Trains League - the equivalent of the North East Counties - and have just missed out on promotion to the UniBond League on several occasions over the last few years.

Last season, they just missed out on an appearance at Wembley when they were knocked out in the semi-finals of the FA Vase.

The game promises to be of extra significance for Strensall-based soldier Lance Corporal Lee Arnold, 27.

L Cpl Arnold, a combat medical technician with the Royal Army Medical Corps, also serves as Newcastle Town's trainer and physio on match days.

Originally from Stoke, L Cpl Arnold is extra-keen for Town to beat City because he has bitter memories of the Minstermen's 1993 Wembley triumph over his favourite team, Crewe Alexandra.

"I have been looking forward to this game ever since it was announced," he said.

Newcastle Town came to prominence in November 1996 when it reached the first round of the FA Cup for the first time in its history.

Played at Stoke City's then called Victoria Ground, Newcastle went down 2-to Notts County in front of their biggest crowd of 3,948.

Town are managed by Ray Walker, the former Aston Villa and Port Vale midfielder.

The ground, which has a capacity of 4,000, with cover provided for more than 1,000, has hosted England Under-16s and England Women's internationals.

York City (at Newcastle Town): from Fettis, Howarth, Potter, Edmondson, Hobson, Jones, Swan, Hall, Hocking, Fox, Bullock Agnew, Hulme, Conlon, Duffield, Sertori, Hadland, McNiven.