York City manager Neil Thompson had mixed news on the injury front today ahead of Saturday's trip to Rochdale, writes Dave Stanford.

Thompson, who missed Tuesday night's 2-2 draw at Darlington with a calf injury, rated himself very doubtful while confirming midfield schemer Steve Agnew, who was stretchered off at Feethams, is struggling to recover from an ankle injury in time.

In better news for the City chief, fellow left-back Wayne Hall could be back in contention after also missing the game against the Quakers with a thigh strain picked up against Torquay United last Saturday.

And in another boost, midfield playmaker Scott Jordan, who has missed the last two City games with a back injury, is also close to making a full recovery and could be available for the weekend.

City's third division rivals Exeter City have confirmed the appointment of assistant player-manager Noel Blake as team boss for the remainder of the season.

The 38-year-old former Leeds, Portsmouth and Stoke defender has been acting as caretaker manager since the resignation of Peter Fox two weeks ago.

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