ON-LOAN defender Jason Goodliffe could make his farewell appearance for York City at Kidderminster tomorrow with Stevenage Borough requesting a fee for his permanent services.

Perhaps encouraged by the undisclosed figure they received from Halifax Town for another ex-City loanee Darryn Stamp, Stevenage have unexpectedly indicated that they would also seek money for Goodliffe, who turns 33 in March.

City boss Billy McEwan is keen to thrash out a deal that would keep Goodliffe at KitKat Crescent until the end of the season but any transfer fee could provide a stumbling block.

The former Hayes defender's three-month loan spell expires after tomorrow's game and McEwan said: "We are trying to get Jason for the rest of the season but we have been told Stevenage are looking for a fee.

"That's surprising and the boy has come into my office disappointed. He's been there five years, they never paid any money for him and he's been a good professional.

"He thought the least they could have done is let him go and pursue his career but we have got to see now if we can come up with some agreement with Stevenage."

McEwan has admitted making inquiries about two unnamed Weymouth players but was put off by their wage demands.

The over-speculating, south-coast club have been competing with City for a place in the Conference play-off frame for most of the season but have been plunged into crisis following a cost-cutting exercise that has seen management duo Garry Hill and Kevin Hales relieved of their duties and the whole first-team squad put on the transfer list.

Winger Lee Elam and full-back Steve Tully have already been snapped up by Exeter City but McEwan was not prepared to break the bank to bring in his targets.

He said: "I spoke to two of Weymouth's players but could not match the money they were on and would not have paid it even if I had it because it was more than what my players are on and they have sweated blood for me so far this season. I will never be swayed to pay stupid money and nobody will ever come in on more money than anyone here."

While added his sympathy for Weymouth's situation, McEwan also expressed the need to avoid over spending, saying: "We will eventually get to where we want to be sensibly and won't get carried away. You have to look long term and not short term."

Weymouth's attentions are now likely to turn to survival rather than a play-off bid but McEwan does not believe that will necessarily make the fight for top-five places any easier.

Exeter's double swoop should boost their chances and recent good runs from Stevenage and Kidderminster have taken them into the top half of the table.

He said: "There are between eight and ten teams still in with a chance and anybody can beat anybody in this league. St Albans beat us 4-2 because we weren't right but when my boys are at it, as they were at Morecambe, the future looks bright."

Clayton Donaldson scored the only goal of the game when City defeated Kidderminster in September but the Midlands club have won their last five games and McEwan said: "They are a good side on a good run.

"They've just gone to Exeter and won in the Trophy and the stats over the last five or six weeks say they are one of the form teams. They are creeping up the league but they will expect a tough game from us so we don't want to disappoint them."

McEwan is expected to make one enforced change from the side that beat Crawley 5-0 a fortnight ago with Martyn Woolford likely to replace the departed Darryn Stamp.

Tomorrow's squads

Kidderminster (probable): Bevan, Kenna, Whitehead, Creighton, Harkness, Russell, Penn, Hurren, Blackwood, Constable, Christie. Subs from: Taylor, McGrath, Sedgemore, Reynolds, White, Smickle, McGrath.

City (probable): Evans, Craddock, Goodliffe, Parslow, Lloyd, Panther, Bishop, Bowey, Woolford, Farrell, Donaldson. Subs: Reid, McGurk, McMahon, Greenwood, Webster.

Referee: David Coote (Notts).

Kick-off: 3pm.