YORK City boss Billy McEwan has confirmed that teenage striker Alex Rhodes will figure in his first-team squad before the end of the season.

Youth-team forward Rhodes bagged a brace of goals in City's 2-1 reserve victory over Grimsby Town this week and his recent performances have caught McEwan's eye.

The former York College student only joined City this season but even had an outside chance of travelling to Burton Albion with the first team this afternoon.

McEwan said: "I was delighted for Alex when he got two goals for the reserves during the week and he is putting in some very encouraging displays. He will be involved at some stage in the first team squad between now and the end of the season if he continues to progress and develop the way he is doing.

"I'm pleased with how he's handled himself since coming here from York College. He has an eye for goal and buzzes about."

McEwan also intends to take a second look at trailists Jonathan Tuffey and Martin Butterworth in Wednesday night's reserve match at Hull City.

Goalkeeper Tuffey is a Northern Ireland Under-18 international, currently on Coventry City's books, while Butterworth is a midfielder for Wensleydale Creamery League outfit Leyburn United.

McEwan also hopes to include more trialists in his team for the Humberside clash.

Updated: 09:33 Saturday, April 01, 2006