STRIKER Alex Mathie is eager to make a significant impact as he tells Evening Press sports writer TONY CURTIS

SCOTTISH striker Alex Mathie is desperate to put his injury nightmare behind him and play his part in the revolution that has swept through York City in the closed season.

The 33-year-old has not had the best of times in the red of City since signing, but he feels that he is more than capable of recreating the form that earned him big money moves to Newcastle United and Ipswich Town.

And with a good pre-season under his belt, he could well be Terry Dolan's trump card.

He told the Evening Press: "It is an exciting time for everybody at the club just now and looking forward to the season now starting.

"I got through pre-season last year with the running and such okay, but on the first game I came down with my back and then my hamstring, so, touch wood, I can get to the season and see how it goes.

"I'm feeling good, training has been good, it is hard but enjoyable and that is a good thing as there is a lot of humour in the camp. It is serious as well, with a lot of hard work being done as Kev (Hornsby) has come and Luther (Blissett) have come in and it is exciting.

"To be honest I haven't had a good season since I got here apart from the first six or seven games when I joined. After that it has been stop-start, stop-start all the time.

"To be fair when I was fit last season it was hard to get back into the side as they were doing so well. Proc (Michael Proctor) and Nogs (Lee Nogan) were doing well, while Peter Duffield came back into the side and started scoring goals, so it was hard for me to get back into the side which I understood.

"I got a run in the side towards the end with three games on the trot and you need a run of games to get back into it.

"There is competition for places which is healthy for everyone. Peter has come back and done well scoring goals, while Nogs is an ever-present and has been absolutely magnificent since he's come to the club.

"My career here has been stop-start, so I've just got to go out there a prove to everybody how good I am and what I can do and hopefully, if I can stay injury free I will."

And under the watchful eye of former AC Milan, Watford and England hitman, Blissett, Mathie feels he can get that extra edge.

"I'm looking forward to working with Luther, I believe he is going to be working with the strikers and he has played at the very top level in Italy and here, so it will be interesting," he added. "You are never too old to start learning things and if Luther can pass on some of his experience to me, Nogs and Duffs and the other young strikers - we are all looking forward to it.

"I just want to get in the team and then hold my position, the goals will take of themselves. Once I get a run in the side the chances and goals will come."