HARTLEPOOL defender Darren Craddock has become York City's first transfer window signing and is expected to make his debut in tomorrow's home match with Grays Athletic.

Craddock, 20, has joined the Minstermen in a one-month loan deal and two other new faces could also be unveiled against Grays.

City boss Billy McEwan is close to agreeing deals with two more players, believed to be a right-back and striker, who, if signed, could join Craddock in tomorrow's starting line-up.

The 6ft defender has made 33 appearances for the Victoria Park outfit since his debut at the age of 18 in a 4-0 FA Cup victory over Whitby.

He has played seven times for the League One side this season with his most recent outing coming in a 2-1 home defeat against Southend United on December 28.

The recent departures of Lee Andrews, Ryan Mallon, Dave Pounder, David McGurk, Chris Brass and Evan Horwood have cleared space on the KitKat Crescent wage bill for McEwan to recruit further players before the January 31 deadline.

The City manager said: "Hopefully, we could have two or, possibly, three new players in tomorrow's line-up. It's been a bit difficult because I haven't been able to bring in the players I wanted as soon as I would have liked but I'm quite optimistic I can get at least another one now and we will also be looking to strengthen the squad in other areas before the window closes."

Top scorer Andy Bishop is ruled out of tomorrow's game because of a one-match suspension while on-loan defender Andrews will also be missing from the side that lost 1-0 to Stevenage in the Minstermen's last outing, having returned to Carlisle United.

Should City be without a new striker for tomorrow's match, Leo Bertos is likely to replace Bishop after Bryan Stewart missed Tuesday's reserve match with toothache. Vice-captain Nathan Peat is also close to gaining a recall to the squad but has been warned he faces a battle for his place.

McEwan said: "Nathan Peat is getting there but he's still got a lot to do and Dave Merris has done well so he will have to fight for his place. He's been out for four months, which is a long time, but I was pleased with him this week for the reserves and he has shown a great attitude to get himself back to a decent level of fitness."

McEwan is challenging his team to gain revenge for November's 3-0 FA Cup home defeat at the hands of Grays and added: "If the players have anything about them, they will want to reverse the result and get three points.

"We know that they have had a couple of indifferent results which you get along the way but they are still a decent side. We will respect them for that but that will go out of the window when we get out there."

Updated: 09:43 Friday, January 20, 2006