PETER TILL will be fit for tonight’s Blue Square Bet Premier clash with Mansfield at Bootham Crescent.
The winger, who limped out of Saturday’s 1-0 home win over Eastbourne, has recovered quickly from a pull to a thigh muscle to take his place as the Minstermen go hunting an eighth successive win in front of their own fans.
Boss Gary Mills had considered a foray into the emergency loan market after Till and fellow winger Ashley Chambers hobbled out of the action.
While he still hasn’t ruled out looking to strengthen his side ahead of the loan deadline on March 31, Mills has been encouraged by Till’s quick return to fitness.
The City manager said Chambers’ hamstring injury also wasn’t as bad as first feared but confirmed the Mansfield game would come too soon for him.
“Peter Till is fine, Ashley Chambers is not and will definitely miss out,” he said. “We thought we might be missing both for the Mansfield match and Ashley’s injury is not overly bad.
“This doesn’t mean I won’t (look at the loan market). You have to make big decisions on whether to strengthen or not. At the moment, I am delighted Tilly is fit.”
When asked whether a side which continued to win would effectively make the decision for him, Mills added: “Exactly. It is a challenge to keep winning. You have to keep doing it – picking up clean sheets and scoring enough goals.
“I think our home form has been magnificent. We have won seven in a row, we have got seven left and we want to make it 14 wins. It is tough, of course it is, but if we keep believing in what we are doing and take those chances (we can do it).”
Mills is wary of a Mansfield outfit which have a number of games in hand and boast one of the league’s top away records but added: “They got a good result when beating Luton in the FA Trophy.
“It is about us. We have come up against good sides over the last few weeks and Mansfield are no different. They will see their games in hand and say that they can force their way into the top five.
“It’s another challenge and another difficult game. They have done well on their travels and we have to be at our best to win the game.”
City’s imperious form – Saturday’s clean sheet was their ninth from 16 home fixtures – means Mills is unlikely to tamper with his central defensive pairing of Chris Smith and Daniel Parslow. That means David McGurk, who recently signed a new contract, will continue to have to be patient on the bench.
“Daniel Parslow has been outstanding,” Mills said.
“He was outstanding again on Saturday. It is great to have someone like David McGurk on the bench at the moment.
“He understands (the situation) and he accepts it. Daniel Parslow, at the moment, deserves the shirt.
“This shows how strong the bench is.”
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