York v Cambridge: Lifting spirits is key for Minstermen - Wilcox

Heading to Notts County last weekend, the Minstermen had taken five points from a three-game unbeaten run and were hopeful of making further progress up the League Two 
table.

A calamitous blunder by goalkeeper Scott Flinders, however, gifted the hosts a 1-0 win and when Kemar Roofe unwittingly sealed a 2-1 win for Oxford United over York on Tuesday night by getting in the way of Ben Godfrey’s attempted clearance, suddenly all was doom and gloom again at Bootham Crescent.

Russ Wilcox’s job since then has been to lift spirits and the York manager is adamant a positive approach against Cambridge United today can do just that.

“We have to get the fans on side and we can do that by seizing the initiative,” said Wilcox. “We did well at Cambridge (when winning 3-0). Getting the first goal could be vital as they are a big, strong side that can sit fairly deep.

“The mindset of everyone is massive and we are all desperate to bounce back.”

Michael Coulson could return to the squad today after coming through a development fixture against Hartlepool in midweek.

His return would be crucial as York have been down to the bare bones in recent games due to Vadaine Oliver’s suspension and injuries to Luke Summerfield and Jake Hyde.

Ever-present defender Dave Winfield is also suspended today after collecting his fifth yellow card of the season against Oxford.

Wilcox added: “We have to dig deep and keep battling on. We have been missing some key players but I can’t fault the application and attitude of the players.”

Former Huddersfield midfielder Michael Collins has joined York on a month’s loan from Oxford and is in today’s squad.