Donovan Ricketts has played his first game for City.

The Jamaica international, who has joined on a year's loan, featured in a behind-closed-doors friendly with Middlesbrough yesterday.

City lost 5-3 against a side that included Brazilian ace Juninho - who scored a hat-trick. But Colin Todd was fairly pleased with the 6ft 5in keeper, who is unable to play in a proper pre-season friendly until he receives a work permit.

Todd said: "They were difficult circumstances for Donovan against a team who had plenty of movement and good passing. He didn't really have a lot of chance with the goals but some of his play was quite good.

"We're hoping he can play at Shrewsbury on Saturday. All the groundwork has been done with his contract and we know the work permit is going through.

"We're just waiting for the higher authority to say it is on the way."

Todd, who also hopes to sign Paul Henderson as back-up to Ricketts, left out David Wetherall, Steve Schumacher, Nicky Summerbee and Dean Windass for the private game which was switched to Boro's Rockliffe Park training ground after City called it off at Valley Parade. Todd added: "It wasn't as good a performance as the Bolton one. We didn't keep the ball well and brought a lot of mistakes on ourselves.

"With having a small squad, I just felt it was necessary to rest a few players but it was a useful work-out for those that were involved."

City's goals came in the last 15 minutes from Ben Muirhead, Kevin Sanasy and Luke Richardson, who smashed in a 35-yard screamer. Slovakia striker Szilard Nemeth and Jonathan Greening also scored for Boro.