Gloves off

Ingham's three-month loan stay with the Minstermen comes to an end after the Oxford game and he will head back to the Stadium of Light with the news ringing in his ears that he will be part of the Black Cats' squad bidding for an immediate return to the Premiership.

However, the net-minder, who has been crowned the 'Lord of the Gloves' at Bootham Crescent, is disappointed not to have finished his season with a shot of helping City through the play-offs.

Ingham told the Evening Press: "It will be my last game - he (Mick McCarthy) wants me back at Sunderland for next season. He has said he is going to give me my chance in the first team.

"My agent spoke to him and he said that he'd heard a lot of good things about me and he wanted me back, so I won't be allowed out on loan next season.

"I was crying to go out on loan this season and when the chance came along I took it with both hands. It was a good opportunity to show what I can do and I feel I have done that. I am glad York City gave me the chance.

"I will prepare the Oxford the same as before, but I want to go out on a high note with three points."

A win is something City haven't managed from their past five games, a run which has all but mathematically - City need to overturn an eight-goal disadvantage while hoping Lincoln lose - killed off their play-off dreams.

But Ingham feels, a play-off place should have been secured a long time ago.

"When we were sitting third, I think we should have taken the bull by the horns and gone for it," he said.

"I'm not criticising anybody...but we have been too defensive at times. We should have gone out and scored more goals.

"You can't blame Parky (Jon Parkin) or anyone.

"We weren't scoring from up front, we weren't scoring from midfield, we weren't scoring from corners or free-kicks... we weren't scoring from anywhere.

"All-in-all we should have at least finished in the play-offs."

Despite missing out on this season's play-offs, Ingham feels City have a good chance of going on to clinch a place next year.

But the shot-stopper believes the club need to add their existing pool of talent.

"The squad is very small and they will need to add a goalkeeper for next season as well as two or three other players," he said. "But there is a great amount of talent here, then you have got Foxy (Christian Fox) coming back from injury and he will be like a new signing."

Ingham had become a favourite among the City faithful, having kept seven clean sheets and conceded just 14 goals in 16 games after replacing Hull-bound Alan Fettis in January.

"Everybody has been great to me at the club and I have been made to feel welcome from day one and the fans have been great," he added.

"It was hard as I was replacing their favourite in Alan Fettis, but they welcomed me and have been great throughout. I'll be sad to go but I have to head back for the chance to move up two divisions."

Updated: 10:59 Friday, May 02, 2003