Battling Barry Conlon is on a capital mission to find the perfect 'cheerio' to zero for York City.

Five games into his City career Conlon has yet to open his goal account.

Now his burning desire is to shatter that duck tomorrow at Barnet before he sets off for an 11-day tour of international duty for his Republic of Ireland homeland.

Conlon has been named in the Eire Under-21 squad for three European 2000 Championship group qualifying games at home to Yugoslavia and then away to Croatia and Malta.

His international call-up means that after tomorrow's trip to Underhill he misses City's next two fixtures - at home to Northampton Town on Bank Holiday Monday and then away to Rotherham.

Hence Conlon's fierce resolve to sign off tomorrow with a goal to help propel City to their first away win of the season.

Said the 20-year-old forward, who has impressed with his lung-busting work-rate in leading the front-line: "I am desperate to get a goal tomorrow. If I could do that then I could go home (to Ireland) happy."

Since arriving in the summer from Southend United for £100,000 - only City's second six-figure signing in club history - Conlon has been an ever-present in attack.

His form has been diligent and deft, his instant control ushering team-mates into possession. But all the good work has been largely confined to outside opponents' danger-zone leaving him without the goal he so urgently craves.

"All strikers love to score, that's why they play. All forwards say that once they get the first goal then they will be settled, and that's true enough," said Conlon.

"No matter how much you say it, it really is amazing just how one goal can change the whole thing round. It can change a whole season for you, really."

Conlon said he had been happy with his general form in City's colours apart from his, as yet, unopened goal return. In his defence he has also had to try to forge a second partnership with the arrival of John Williams two games into term.

"All I feel I am missing is a little bit of luck in the box. We do need to get the ball in there a bit more and we also have to make better use of John's speed.

"When you are not getting the breaks then you've just got to work harder. I will be doing that, but I would definitely love to sign off with a goal at Barnet."

An away-day 'hit' would fall in with the trend of last season when, as a Shrimper, six of his seven goals were notched in away games - at Brighton, Hull City, Hartlepool, Darlington and Plymouth. His lone home strike was in a 2-0 win over Swansea.

There's been no shortage of plunder wearing the green and white of his country. Of nine under-18 and under-21 appearance Conlon has collected eight goals, a trend he was keen to continue on his return to the international arena.

"It's a great buzz to be playing for your country and it's a big bonus for me to be picked," enthused Conlon.

"I was a bit worried I might not be selected, but I'm in the squad and hope to get us closer to qualifying after these three games. But tomorrow it's about notching for York."

Well out of contention for any action meanwhile is Conlon's City team-mate Craig Skinner.

Further scans have shown Skinner has knee ligament damage, first suffered in the final pre-season game at Gainsborough.

He will have to undergo exercises on his injured left leg for the next six to eight weeks before it is determined whether he will need surgery, said manager Neil Thompson.

The City boss also said that the club were to give a trial to ex-Coventry City and Sheffield Wednesday centre-back Andy Pearce, who has been released from Premiership Wimbledon.

City check on Brodie

York City are sizing up Scarborough's impish striker Steve Brodie.

Manager Neil Thompson confirmed he has made the short trip along the A64 to watch the 26-year-old forward, who has begun the Conference campaign with the Seadogs in snappy style.

Brodie has hit three goals in Scarborough's four-game unbeaten start to their return to the Conference arena after last season's final-day anguish at Carlisle, which ended 11 seasons in the Football League.

Said the City boss: "We've watched him a few times. The lad is a good player and people who score goals are bound to interest you.

"He is one of a number of forwards we have been monitoring and will continue to monitor.

"But we are not doing anything about it - at this moment in time."

After Boro's heart-breaking relegation Brodie initially expressed a desire to remain in the Nationwide League. But he was then persuaded to remain at the club he first joined in the 1996-97 season after being freed by hometown Sunderland.

Eager to keep hold of the flier Boro believe his striking ability will be pivotal to their plans to return to the Nationwide at the first attempt.

They have already turned down a £30,000 bid from City's basement rivals Exeter City in the first week of the campaign.

Boro boss Colin Addison, the ex-York star, said he did not want to lose the marksman, adding too that the fee far from matched his valuation of Brodie.

But any firmer interest by City, who are virtually on the player's doorstep, may increase the pressure on Boro's resolve to hold on to one of their prized assets.

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