Minstermen in need of a lift

After conceding three goals without reply in a very disappointing second-half showing at Chesterfield, York City really need a suitable response when visiting fellow League Two newcomers Fleetwood Town this weekend. The Lancashire club have already got one over their latest opponents when recording a 2-0 win at Bootham Crescent back at the start of October - despite the fact they were totally outplayed for the vast majority of the first-half. Since then they have had a change of management with Graham Alexander taking over after Mickey Mellon's services were recently surprisingly dispensed of. Fleetwood currently occupy the final play-off place but are only six points clear of their visitors, who continue to hover just below midway without really threatening either end of the table at present. But the Highbury side's recent form hasn't been especially great either - with their latest win against Morecambe being their first in six games and only their fifth at home all season.

"I'm expecting a similar challenge to the one we had at Chesterfield," York boss Gary Mills told The Press. "They are a good side with a strong squad so we will have to be at our best for 90 minutes, as you have to be every week in this League."

Former York striker Jon Parkin is ruled out by injury alongside ex-Scotland captain and on loan Blackpool midfielder Barry Ferguson, who is suffering from a groin strain. Striker Andy Mangan (torn cartilage), defender Youl Mawene (broken foot) and midfielder Anthony Barry (knee) are also on the sidelines, while the experienced Barry Nicholson is struggling with a back problem.
Fleetwood Town (probable): Davies, Beeley, Atkinson, Goodall, Howell, McGuire, Milligan, Marrow, Brown, Gillespie, Ball

Experienced midfielder who is capable of really dictating the action given the opportunity.

Manager Gary Mills could well make changes at the back following the poor second-half show at Chesterfield. Lanre Oyebanjo may return at right-back with Daniel Parslow moving across into the centre of defence. But teenager Tom Allan and the far more experienced David McGurk will also come into contention. Jonathan Smith and Lee Bullock are both pressing for opportunities in midfield after recently being recalled from loans. Ashley Chambers (stomach), Michael Coulson (knee), Oli Johnson (groin) and John McReady (shoulder) are definitely sidelined.
York City (probable): Ingham, Oyebanjo, C. Smith, Parslow, Fyfield, Kerr, J. Smith, McLaughlin, Blair, Walker, Rodman
subs (from): Musselwhite, McGurk, Allan, Bullock, Potts, Reed, Doig, Blanchett, Challinor

York need reliability and stability at the back after conceding five times without reply in their last couple of away games.

York made two previous trips to Fleetwood in the Conference, losing 2-1 in August 2010 when debutant Greg Young netted a late consolation for the following side: Ingham, Parslow, McGurk (Sangare), Young, Meredith, J.Smith, Barrett (Till), Lawless, Rankine, Brodie (McDermott), Gash. Last season the game remained scoreless as City lined-up: Ingham, Oyebanjo, McGurk, Smith, Meredith, Boucaud (Fyfield), Kerr, McLaughlin (Challinor), Moké (Pilkington), Walker, Chambers

M. Brown (East Yorkshire)

Fleetwood - Port Vale (A); York - Burton (H)

* YORK CITY FC * PLAY-OFF WINNERS 2012 * FA TROPHY WINNERS 2012 * YORK CITY FC * PLAY-OFF WINNERS 2012 * FA TROPHY WINNERS 2012 * YORK CITY FC * PLAY-OFF WINNERS 2012 * FA TROPHY WINNERS 2012 * YORK CITY FC * PLAY-OFF WINNERS 2012 * FA TROPHY WINNERS 2012 *

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