LANCASTER City's new goalkeeper will be former Blackpool and Morecambe veteran Steve McIlhargey.

The 35 year-old-shot stopper will continue his behind the scenes work at Christie Park, but he will be between the sticks for City's first game of the season.

McIlhargey remains at Morecambe's academy as a coach and is still on the Shrimps books as a player, but he will play for City on what is, effectively, a long term loan.

And Tony Hesketh was full of praise for his new number one. He said: "Steve's got vast experience in the game. He's Mr unflappable and he plays with a smile on his face."

City's interest in Michael Holt is not over. The Rochdale striker played and scored superbly against Burnley last week, but looked set to stay in professional football, with Hereford and Scunthorpe showing an interest.

But Holt, a former Preston and Blackburn Rovers starlet, appears likely to join a Unibond league side, with City set to battle it out with Accrington Stanley for his signature.

City's latest friendly saw them fall to a 2-1 defeat against Rossendale United on Tuesday night. Even worse news came when Mark Cheal suffered a broken leg during the match.