Willy Topp will start his first City game tomorrow night - but only if Peter Thorne is sidelined.

Thorne faces a late check after a stiff neck kept him out of Saturday's 1-1 draw at Wrexham.

Should he not make it, Topp will be thrust into the spotlight of an impatient Valley Parade public.

The fans have been clamouring for a glimpse of the Chilean striker, who has so far played only 21 minutes as a substitute against Hereford.

Stuart McCall is well aware of the growing weight of expectation on the 21-year-old and he warned: "We're trying to keep a lid on it.

"Billy's a young lad miles away from home and you shouldn't expect too much of him too soon. We've signed him on an 18-month deal so let's give him a chance to settle in.

"I said when we signed him that it's a gamble and it's unfortunate that the deal dragged on so he wasn't able to play any football.

"Thorney improved a lot over the weekend and did some running today. We'll see if there's any reaction but it's still going to be a last-minute decision."

McCall is also trying to thrash out a deal with Hartlepool over Lee Bullock, whose loan runs out after the Shrewsbury game.

The midfielder, who has been told he can leave Victoria Park, wants to stay and City are hoping to beat off interest from a couple of other clubs.

Bullock is unbeaten in his four City games and said: "Hopefully something can happen here but we'll have to wait and see. I want to move on to something new after Hartlepool."

He is also keen to follow Kyle Nix's example and hit the goal trail - Bullock last scored 15 months ago.

He said: "I haven't scored in a while and have probably forgotten how to do it. It's on my mind and something I need to change.

"I should have got one at Bury but it got stuck in the mud, which was really annoying.

"Nixy has got a couple from midfield and you can't just rely on the strikers, so I'm trying my hardest."

McCall added: "I'm speaking to Danny Wilson (Hartlepool manager) and we're hopeful something can be sorted out."

  • Start or join a debate on this issue in our online forum - Click here