RICHARD Brodie, Simon Brown and Christian Smith will earn instant recalls into the York City team for tomorrow’s Blue Square Premier clash at Eastbourne.

All three players were ineligible for Tuesday night’s Setanta Shield trip to Barrow, but their replacements failed to threaten their starting places during a 3-1 defeat.

As a result, Onome Sodje, Simon Russell and Ben Wilkinson are all set to drop out, while skipper Mark Greaves could also make way for new loan signing Levi Mackin.

City manager Martin Foyle said: “The cup-tied players will definitely come back in because Browny and Christian Smith were probably two of our best players in the last league match against Lewes.”

Ben Purkiss will not make the long journey to Sussex after his stomach strain problem, but is expected to return for Tuesday’s trip to Altrincham.

The calf injury to fellow defender David McGurk, however, is expected to now keep him out until next Saturday’s FA Trophy third round tie at Kidderminster.

Teenage left-winger Liam Shepherd, meanwhile, might need to bide his time for a first-team start with Foyle believing he is better suited to a substitute role for now.

He said: “Andy Mac has been excellent away from home on that flank and was outstanding at Oxford. He’s struggled a bit at home when we try and get him a bit more advanced, but he gives us solidity around Mark Robinson on the road.

“Shep did not play very well for the reserves this week when I wanted to see him in a whole game.

“He was okay, but really he should be having an influence on reserve team football to get near to the first team.

“When he comes on as a sub, he does have an influence and he’s a bright spark, but he’s just got to be a little more consistent and we need a bit more work from him, which he is prepared to put in.”

With mid-table Eastbourne and Altrincham both within striking distance for the Minstermen, Foyle is also hoping to move up the Blue Square Premier standings ahead of the Trophy trip to Kidderminster.

He added: “If we want to catch the teams above us then it is important we pick up points against Eastbourne and Altrincham.

“We also have to forget the Setanta Shield because we will be going back to what I regard is our strongest side at the moment.”

Eastbourne (probable): Hook, Austin, Pullan, Baker, Jenkins, Wormull, Brown, Smart, M Crabb, Smith, Barnes.

Subs: Harding, Lovett, Atkin, N Crabb, Johnson.

City (probable): Ingham, Critchell, Kelly, Parslow, Robinson, Brown, Mackin, Smith, McWilliams, McBreen, Brodie.

Subs: Mimms, Greaves, Russell, Shepherd, Sodje.

Referee: M McLoughlin.