Stuart McCall's plans to run the rule over "four or five" City trialists have been rumbled by the wet weather.

McCall hoped to field at least three hopefuls in today's reserve game against Huddersfield but heavy rain left the Valley Parade pitch unplayable.

The City boss instead hastily arranged a practice match among some of the squad on the all-weather surface at Marley Stadium in Keighley.

But he is trying to get the Huddersfield clash rescheduled for Thursday while the trial players are still training with the club.

"We've got the lads up for a few days and there is a possibility we might be able to get the game back on in time if Huddersfield agree," said McCall.

"We've got these young lads who are going to be available either now or in the summer and there's no harm in having a look.

"You get agents coming on to you about players at this time. They have all been recommended to us and we'll see what they can do."

With Mark Bower sidelined for at least six weeks, McCall has been looking for defensive cover and has given a trial to 19-year-old Martin Riley, whose contract was recently paid up at Wolves.

McCall is also casting an eye over Leeds-born Nottingham Forest striker David Brown, 18, and 21-year-old Northern Ireland youth international midfielder David Howland from Birmingham.

But McCall looks set to miss out on Morecambe winger Garry Thompson. He is poised to sign a new deal after the Shrimpers last week branded City's £10,000 bid as "derisory". Thompson said: "Contract talks are going well and hopefully I'll be able to sign a new deal this week. I do want to stay at Morecambe. I've never said I wanted to leave Christie Park.

"I was disappointed in the summer when my contract wasn't extended and it is flattering when other clubs come in for you. You take a step back and consider all your options when that happens.

"I've been here for a long time and it is a club very close to my heart.

"We are challenging hard for promotion, there are plans to move to a new stadium and we could get to Wembley in the JP Trophy, so why would I want to leave that behind?"

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