York City sentinel Chris Smith is revelling under the burden of expectation and relishing the chance to prove he's no flash in the pan.

The talented central defender was one of the stars of last season, becoming an integral part of the first team squad and acclaimed by the fans.

New player-boss Chris Brass wasted little time in offering the out-of-contract Smith a fresh deal on his appointment to the Bootham Crescent hot-seat.

In doing so, Brass immediately threw down the gauntlet to the 22-year-old, admitting if he could repeat his form of last season then bigger clubs would soon be on his trail.

Tomorrow he could start that challenge pitted against Norwegian international Tore Andr Flo in the opening friendly at home to Sunderland (kick-off 7.30pm).

Smith, fresh from signing a one-year deal, is determined not to let the plaudits distract him from the task in hand.

"I have to prove myself again now and it is going to be hard because expectations will be so high," he conceded.

"But I just have to try and prepare in the same way I did last season. If I go out with the same attitude then hopefully things will go well again."

Smith admitted the praise thrust upon him from management and fans alike can only help his confidence.

"It's nice to hear things like that, it is certainly better than bad publicity," he reasoned.

"I've read what has been in the papers and it's always good to see, plus when the gaffer called me into the office, he told me what he thought of me and it was nice to hear that."

With Brass confident Smith can play at a higher level, the former Reading centre-back admits if he could do that with York City so much the better.

Despite the squad needing new faces, Smith believes City can do even better than last season, when the Minstermen's play-off hopes were only finally scuppered on the last day.

"We have a good set of lads here and the gaffer is looking to bring more in and I think we've got a good chance this season," said Smith.

"The trialists that have come in all seem good lads and have settled in, so I'm sure we are going to be fine."

Now Smith is gearing himself up for the first of City's pre-season friendlies against the Black Cats.

That game is followed by Leeds the week after and provides Smith with the perfect opportunity to test his mettle against some of the best strikers around.

"Sunderland will be a big test," he conceded. "They've already played a game so they are sure to be sharp. The likes of Flo and (Kevin) Phillips are Premiership players really so it will be good to test yourself against them.

"Then we've got Leeds and I'm actually quite pleased Harry Kewell has moved on," he quipped.

"But we could still be up against Mark Viduka and Alan Smith so that will be another big test."

Updated: 11:05 Tuesday, July 15, 2003