MANAGER Peter Jackson is backing Jon Stead to gun down York for a first League win of the season at the McAlpine tomorrow (3.00).

He is not revealing, however, who will play alongside the 20-year-old marksman who has attracted another posse of top-flight scouts to the eagerly-awaited fixture.

Four-goal Stead has had Jon Newby at his shoulder so far this term, but big Andy Booth did so well as a substitute at Boston that he could be unleashed on a five-man visiting back line including ex-Town man Darren Edmondson.

Jackson will make a late decision on his team because of fitness tests for Efe Sodje - back today from friendly international duty with Nigeria in Japan - and Rob Edwards, who has been battling all week to overcome a hamstring injury.

If Edwards misses out, Sodje will be the first choice as captain. If he can't play, Jackson will issue the armband shortly before kick-off.

The manager - who is hoping for a 10,000-plus crowd against Chris Brass's in-form side - knows the focus of attention will be on Stead.

"We did a lot of shooting and finishing practice in training and Steady's work was excellent," said Jackson, who names Andrew Holdsworth in an unchanged 17-man squad for tomorrow and for Monday's trip to Doncaster (3.00).

"He has earned the shirt so far and repaid my faith with four goals in three matches, so I'm not surprised scouts are wanting to look at him.

"He knows he can still become a much better player, but Steady is full to the brim with confidence at the moment and I just want him to keep on going strong."

With Brass suspended, York are expected to draft in either Leigh Wood or Scott Jones at the back. Lee Nogan, who got the winner against Northampton, is looking for a third goal of the campaign.

"Tomorrow's match is about how we play, not about what York might do, even though we know we can't underestimate them at all," said Jackson.

"We have performed for only short spells so far in the League, so I want a 90-minute display tomorrow and three points which will get us up and running for Monday."

Town - (from): Gray, Hughes, Booty, Yates, Sodje, Thorrington, Carss, Fowler, Newby Booth, Stead, Schofield, Senior, Thompson, Worthington, Holdsworth, Edwards.

York City - (probable): Ovendale, Edmondson, Wood, Wise, Hope, Merris, Ward, Dunning, Bullock, George, Nogan. Subs (from): Porter, Downes, Cooper, Jones, Brackstone.

Referee - Joe Ross (Essex).

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