LANCASTER City's latest young striker arrived thanks to the club's links with a leading Scottish outfit.

Michael Yates marked his debut against Whitby on Saturday with an impressive brace and hopes to bounce back from a disappointing spell with Dundee.

The deal to bring Yates to Giant Axe was brokered by reserve team manager George Norrie, who also scouts for the Scottish club, and was agreed by manager Tony Hesketh, who is said to be recovering well from his recent hip operation.

Yates, 23, spent five years with Liverpool's youth academy before making his name at Burscough.

After impressing at the South Lancashire club, the youngster was snapped up by Dundee for a five-figure fee.

He played eight games in his first season at the Dens Park club and looked set to make a name for himself until the arrival of Italian boss Ivano Bonnetti.

However, after just 20 games under Bonnetti, Yates found himself squeezed out as the likes of Claudio Cannigia and a succession of other big name foreign signings made first team opportunities hard to come by.

Earlier this season, Yates found himself farmed out to Scottish third division outfit, Montrose and, on his return to Dundee, he asked to be released from his contract.

Speaking after Yates' debut brace against Whitby on Saturday, acting manager Barrie Stimpson said: "He was lively and he gave us a different option and got a couple of goals.

"He was contracted to the end of the season at Dundee but he felt he was going nowhere and ask for his contract to be cancelled.

"He has got confidence in HIS own ability and he knows he will be in the shop window if he plays well for us."

City get the chance to put their promotion push back on track this Friday with a game at the league's bottom club, Hyde United, kick off at 7.45pm.

By that time, a new look Giant Axe will be taking shape, with builders due to move in on Thursday to ensure that the ground is up to conference standards sooner rather than later.

The current undeveloped side of the ground will have a small amount of terracing built, increasing the capacity by 800.

The entrance to the ground is also to be tidied up as new chairman, Ron Moore, begins to put plans in place for the future.

The new look plans were unveiled to members of the supporters club this week, along with the appointment of a new board member.

Andrew Pye, owner of the Ashton Golf Centre, was elected this week.

He said: "I am proud to have been accepted as a board member.

Football is an integral part of the community and as such Lancaster City FC deserves the support of local businesses and people."

Mr Moore said: "I want to increase the involvement of the supporters club, our unsung heroes who help the club through thick and thin, voluntarily and in their own time."