YORK City boss Billy McEwan is considering switching to a five-man defence for tomorrow's Conference clash at Kidderminster Harriers depending on the fitness of James Dudgeon.

The Minstermen have failed to keep a clean sheet in their last six Conference outings and McEwan may change tactics at Aggborough by playing Dudgeon along fellow centre backs David McGurk and Lee Andrews if he recovers from a hamstring strain.

Dudgeon was being assessed in training today after missing the 1-0 home defeat against Burton Albion last weekend.

McEwan also added that David Stockdale's display for the reserves at Darlington on Tuesday night has given Chris Porter greater competition for his place in goal.

The City boss said: "Stockie made some good saves at Darlington and if we keep shipping goals in the defence and goalkeeping situation has to be looked at. In fact, the whole team will do from a defensive point of view.

"We might need to go five at the back to shore it up and might have to look at the fitness of our centre backs."

McEwan is also looking to recruit three players before next Thursday's deadline for loan signings with the chance of a new face at Kidderminster.

After next Thursday, Conference clubs will be unable to bring in any new players until the transfer window reopens in January.

Updated: 10:54 Friday, November 18, 2005