York City defender Stuart Wise has turned the corner and is hoping to cement a place in the starting line-up in Saturday's clash at Kidderminster.

The 19-year-old youth team graduate made his first start since September at Oxford United on Wednesday and played a vital part in the 0-0 draw, contributing to a much-needed clean sheet and almost snatching a goal when his diving header crashed against the bar after 17 minutes.

He said: "It feels really good to be back, especially after the way we played. I think most people thought we would get beat down there but we didn't and we played really well."

Manager Chris Brass said Wise's performance was one of the highlights of Wednesday night's match: "Stuart Wise came back in and showed the form that he did at the start of the season and he's playing with an abundance of confidence."

Yet only a matter of months ago, Wise admits his confidence was at an all time low as he battled to get back in the team after injury.

He said: "It was a matter of keeping trying not to let the fact that I wasn't getting picked get me down. I was injured for a bit and then there was other stuff going on behind the scenes and I wasn't in the right frame of mind.

"The game before I got injured was against Mansfield when I didn't play very well and that stuck in my mind so my confidence was really low.

"It was really hard but a lot of the lads had a chat with me, and the gaffer and Nogs (assistant manager Lee Nogan) really helped me a lot as well. They told me to forget about it. They've had so many years in football that they have been through it all at some point."

But things are now on the up for the youngster and he is hoping to turn his recall into a regular feature - and maybe land a new contract into the bargain - and the time is definitely right with Brass out suspended, and Richard Hope an injury doubt.

He added: "I will be trying to play as many games as possible from now until the end of the season and play to the best of my ability. Hopefully I can do enough to make an impression because now is the time when all the contracts are being given out

"I'm just happy with the way things are going at the moment. I've finally got my confidence back and I'm looking forward to it all."

As for Kidderminster, Wise is relishing the challenge and is optimistic of another great performance.

He added: "If we all stick together and play like we did on Wednesday, I am sure we won't have any problem against Kidderminster - no disrespect to them or anything - but I am sure that will be the case. We are starting to get back on track now and we've stopped the rot.

"I thought all the lads played really well against Oxford but most of all, we just seemed to have that spirit again that we haven't had in a while, that never say die attitude."

Squads

York City: Probable: Ovendale, Wise, Smith, Davies, Wood, Dickman, Ward, Walker, Merris, Nogan, Bullock. Subs from: Porter, Yalcin, Cooper, Bell, Edmondson, Hope.

Kidderminster: Probable: Brock, Hinton, Hatswell, Viveash, Stamps, Yates, Keates, Murray, Bennett, Williams, Foster. Subs: Parrish, Sall, Christensen, Danby, Ward.

Referee: Mark Cowburn (Lancashireshire)

Match points

- CITY lost on their two visits to Aggborough but last season won 2-1 with goals from Stephen Brackstone and Lee Nogan.

- City's line up on December 14, 2002 was: - Fettis, Edmondson, Parkin, Brass (Wood), Hobson (Cowan), Potter, Bullock, Brackstone (Fox), Reddy, Nogan, Duffield.

- Players to have appeared for both clubs include Steve James and keeper Tim Clarke.

Statistics by David Batters

Kick-off: 3pm

Updated: 11:01 Friday, March 05, 2004