York City v Notts County: McNamara is wary of threat from County

York City manager Jackie McNamara has warned his side that they will be facing a 'confident' Notts County in today's game.
York's Vadaine Oliver, pictured right.York's Vadaine Oliver, pictured right.
York's Vadaine Oliver, pictured right.

The Minstermen remain at the bottom of League Two after last weekend’s 2-0 defeat against Northampton Town. They are, however, four points away from Hartlepool and Yeovil, who are in 22nd and 21st respectively.

County were buoyed by a victory against Luton last weekend, and will bring former Premier League striker Jon Stead and Izale McLeod with them to Bootham Crescent today. The duo have plundered an impressive 17 goals between them this season.

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McNamara is hopeful that his team can put aside a trend that has seen them fail to keep a clean sheet in any of the former Dundee United manager’s 22-games in charge.

“They will come here feeling confident,” he said. “They won at Luton, I watched them there, and they pose a threat. They’ve got the two lads up front – Stead and McLeod – and we will need to be wary of them.”

McNamara was glad to be able to bring Reece Thompson back into contention, with the 22-year-old not having featured since the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy win against Doncaster Rovers in October. Thompson could appear on the substitute’s bench after recovering from a long-term illness, while Jake Hyde has also returned to training.

“Reece has done three days with us and it has been a long time since the lad has done anything,” said McNamara.

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“He showed up okay. On Wednesday he was a little bit tired compared with the two previous days and he looks like someone that is going to help us.

“He could get a place on the bench and it depends how he recovers. I don’t think (striker) has been covered properly. Jake was injured and Reece wasn’t here. Emile Sinclair was injured and we have only really had Vadaine Oliver. He has had no competition or someone to play alongside him.”

Derek Riordan has also been involved after playing for 70 minutes in the North Riding Senior Cup on Tuesday.

McNamara added: “We had a couple of free kicks at the edge of their 18-yard box (against Guisborough) and I have seen Derek, week in and week out, put them in the top corner. He has that little bit of quality that you need to win games.”

Last six games: York City DLLDWL, Notts County LDLWLW.

Referee: M Heywood (West Yorkshire).

Last time: York City 1 Notts County 2, April 5, 1997, Division Two.