FROM the cream of British football to the home of cream teas is the vault made by York City whizz-kid Jonathan Greening, writes Tony Kelly.

The 19-year-old youngster today re-joined his Minstermen team-mates bound for the trek to Devon against Plymouth after relishing four days' training with Manchester United.

It's a massive contrast in styles as well as miles, but City manager Alan Little had no hesitation about naming the talented and therefore coveted Greening in an unchanged team.

And while the 19-year-old has briefly sampled life at the top, success for City tomorrow would provide the ideal platform for a double-assault against Division Two high-fliers Watford and Bristol City."We'll have to wait and see what happens now with United. But Jonno is back at York and so he is back in the side. It's as simple as that," declared the City chief.

The incentive could literally not be higher for Greening and his City team-mates at Home Park, added Little.

"We have to say, 'come on, Plymouth are a bottom four side' and it's important to us to beat them.

"If we do that, then what occasions the next two home games will be. Watford and Bristol City. A win tomorrow and we will be right in the pack to take on the top two. That's got to be something tremendous to aim for."

Little keeps faith with the starting line-up that began so well against Walsall before retreating into a rearguard action. But even that defensive duty offered solace to the York boss.

"The back four were very solid against a lively attack of Roger Boli and Andy Watson. A lot of defences have been afraid of Boli in particular, but we stifled him and the rest and for all Walsall's pressure they never caused Mark Samways too many problems.

"You have to work from a solid base at the back and we have got that back again."

The City manager was not entirely wowed by the forward thrust of the side and revealed he was pondering 'tweaking' the system to increase the side's potency.

If tinkering does not work, then Little might turn again to 14-goal Rodney Rowe, 'rested' from selection against Walsall. Rowe impressed with a goal for the reserves in midweek to earn a place on the bench at Home Park.

Plymouth have spent the bulk of the season near the foot of the table, but will be banking on their solid home form to detach themselves from the relegation zone.

The big problem for manager Mick Jones is finding a striking ally for top scorer Carlo Corazzin. Ex-Sheffield United flier Adrian Littlejohn has only six goals to his credit this term, while St Lucian international Earl Jean has struggled since his summer move from Rotherham.

Littlejohn today turned down a loan swap that would have taken him to Notts County with Gary Martindale going to the Pilgrims.

Loan bids for either of Oldham pair Sean McCarthy and Phil Starbuck faltered, which may lead to a call-up for 17-year-old Lee Phillips, who has recovered from two leg fractures to just sign a new four-year deal with the Pilgrims.

* York City Intermediates head to Sheffield United in the Northern Intermediate League tomorrow, kick-off 11am.

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