Minstermen’s chief Mills believes new faces will provide a big boost

The 22-year-old Derry City striker has been plucked from the League of Ireland after impressing on trial.

Personal terms were agreed earlier this week and Mills believes his new arrival can justify the time and effort that has gone into the signing.

He said: “It has been going on for a little while so it will be great to get the deal over the line.

“We have had injuries up front and lost quite a few widemen. Despite that, we have still done extremely well. It will, though, still be great to get David in as we have been chasing him for a while. He is an excellent player and this is a big opportunity for him.

“There have been a few Irish players who have come over in the past 12 months and done well. They have kick-started their careers. This is David’s chance to do the same.”

McDaid is not the only new arrival this week with Blackburn Rovers’ teenage defender Jack O’Connell also having joined on a month’s loan.

The 18-year-old recently spent time at Rotherham United and is highly rated after previously leading the Lancashire club to the final of both the FA Youth Cup and the Academy League.

Mills added: “Injuries meant we needed to get someone in. We are a little bit short in that area and while Jack is only young, he is a good player.”

City face a tough task at Gillingham, who, after a storming start, are still among the leading pack. Martin Allen’s side have stumbled recently at home with three defeats in their last four league outings.

Exeter City, Barnet and leaders Port Vale are the teams York are bidding to emulate and Mills said: “Gillingham are a good side. They are second and you have to be a good side to be up there. I am sure Gillingham will be looking to get some consistency back as they have had a couple of disappointing results.

“But we go there to play our own game. We don’t swap or change to stop the opposition. That is not what we are about.”