Minstermen again hope to conquer New York

York City face the first of two crucial local derbies this evening when visiting Rotherham United, who are currently just outside the automatic promotion places. However, the Minstermen have already won once at the New York Stadium this season, when Matty Blair became the first-ever player to score an away goal at the new venue in a 1-0 victory in the Johnstone's Paint Trophy first round at the beginning of September. Rotherham will be looking for a fourth successive league win to boost their own promotion challenge, although they have already suffered seven home defeats in the league this season and are still to draw in front of their own supporters. By contrast their visitors are very much the draw specialists this term with fifteen of their opening 34 games finishing level. But they are currently without a victory in nine games.

"We've got 12 cup finals now to get the points that we need," manager Gary Mills told BBC Radio York. "We know it will be tough going to Rotherham but we have won there already this season so we know what it requires. If we show the same desire and passion that we showed on that occasion then we are more than capable of coming away with a positive result."

Former York loanee Danny Kearns should recover from a hamstring injury in time to feature while fourteen-goal top scorer Daniel Nardiello, Welsh international defender Craig Morgan and midfielder Michael O`Connor could all return. Kayode Odejayi is similarly pressing for inclusion after scoring as a substitute in their latest 2-1 victory at Bristol Rovers. Veteran ex-York keeper Andy Warrington, 36, makes his 200th league appearance for the Millers.
Rotherham United (probable): Warrington, Bradley, Mullins, Davis, Ridehalgh, O`Connor, Arnason, Frecklington, Kearns, Nardiello, Odejayi

On loan Peterborough United midfielder who is already well-known to York fans after a loan spell with the club earlier this season.

Teenage defender Jack O'Connell is available after extending his loan from Blackburn Rovers until the end of the season. Fellow defenders David McGurk, Chris Doig and Jon Challinor remain sidelined but Lanre Oyebanjo made a successful return to action at the weekend following a month out of action. Michael Rankine challenges for a starting place in attack after recently rejoining the club on loan from Aldershot Town.
York City (probable): Ingham, Oyebanjo, Smith, O'Connell, Parslow, Kerr, McGrath, Blair, Rodman, Walker, Chambers
subs: Musselwhite, Allan, Potts, McLaughlin, Bullock, Rankine, McDaid

The on loan Blackburn centre-back spent a similar spell at Rotherham earlier this season.

The Minstermen made 29 Football League visits to Rotherham's former stadium, Millmoor, and have been victorious on six occasions while drawing five. Two of those - 2-1 in 1972-73 and 2-0 in 1996-97 - were absolutely crucial and helped them avoid relegation from the old third division. York's most recent league trip was in September 1999 for a League Two fixture and ended in a 1-0 scoreline in favour of the Millers. Team: Mimms, Hocking, Fairclough, Sertori, Thompson (Dawson), Fox, Jordan, Atkins, Hall, Rowe, Williams (Bullock)

R. Madley (Wakefield)

Rotherham - Southend (A); York - Bradford City (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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