FORMER million-pound striker Bruce Dyer is in line to make his debut for York City tonight.

Dyer, 33, has been named in the squad for this evening’s Setanta Shield home tie against Mansfield, with manager Colin Walker pondering whether to start the ex-England Under-21 international or introduce him from the bench.

The 6ft forward has agreed terms until the January transfer window, having been unattached and training with Bradford since his release from Chesterfield in the summer.

About his new signing, Walker said: “He has a good pedigree and lots of experience. He’s also hungry to help us and I’ve worked with him before at Barnsley so I know what he can bring to the club.

“He can hold the ball up and bring others into play and he understands the game. He also has a turn of pace that surprises some people. I’ve always been looking to bring in another striker that will add value to the team and he will do that.”

About Dyer’s two-month contract, Walker added: “It works for both parties.

“It works for him because his biggest decision was whether he wanted to come down into the Conference so he will have a look at it and see how it feels. He’ll hopefully bring some enthusiasm as he did in training yesterday.”

Dyer has 139 goals to his name during 15 years as a professional, including one season in the Premier League with Crystal Palace.

His move from Watford to Selhurst Park in 1994 saw him command the first £1 million teenage transfer fee, but he has been looking for a new club since being released in quick succession by Doncaster and Chesterfield last season.

Dyer scored his last first-team goal 21 months ago for Bradford in a 2-2 draw with Nottingham Forest and has failed to find the net in his last 18 senior outings.

The Ilford-born front-man has also only managed five goals during the last four seasons and has not yet played first-team football in 2008/9, but Walker said: “I’m concentrating on the positives.

“He will add a lot of competition to our squad, which can only be good.

“It’s just a matter of whether he starts tonight or we bring him off the bench.”


Bruce Dyer factfile

Age: 33

Birthplace: Ilford

Height: 6ft

Weight: 10st 9lbs

Position: Forward

League games: 466

League goals: 117

Cup games: 61

Cup goals: 18

Former clubs: Watford, Crystal Palace, Barnsley, Stoke City, Millwall (loan), Sheffield United, Doncaster, Bradford (loan), Rotherham (loan), Chesterfield.

International honours: England Under-21s, 11 caps, four goals; Montserrat, one cap

Major moves: Watford to Crystal Palace, £1.1 million (1994); Crystal Palace to Barnsley, £700,000 (1998)