YORK City centre-half Matthew Hocking just can't wait to get out for tonight's rearranged clash against Hull City.

The former Tiger, who has reproduced some of his best form of late, spent two seasons at Boothferry Park having been signed from Sheffield United during Mark Hateley's ill-fated reign.

And having missed out on the first clash between the two clubs back in September - he had to be content with a spot on the bench as City lost 4-0 - Hocking is 'itching' to get back on the Bootham Crescent pitch, despite the fact the FA Cup tie against Fulham took a lot out of him and the Minstermen physically.

Hocking, who celebrates his 24th birthday tomorrow, told the Evening Press: "It is very important for us to beat Hull. I didn't get the chance to play against them this season away, I was sub and was itching to get on - I just wanted to play.

"Hopefully I will play tonight, and I'm really looking forward to it because it is Hull City.

"I know about two or three of the lads still there, but a lot of the ones I knew have now left.

"I enjoyed my time there, it is a good club and the fans are really passionate

"They support the team in numbers and get behind the them, but I think that they might me concentrating on the gaffer (Terry Dolan) and possibly me! But I don't think Alan Fettis will get any stick, he is still a hero with them."

Hocking, along with the Hull old boys of Gary Hobson, Fettis and Dolan as well as the rest of the squad, knows exactly how important a win is for the Minstermen.

"We'll want revenge definitely for the defeat against them last time, but it is not just that, the points are crucial for us - we need the three points," he said.

"Even after the FA Cup game on Saturday, we got in the dressing room and wanted to know how Halifax had got on and how the other teams around us had got on.

"We are in a position now where we need to start picking up points and start the momentum going, but we are all confident in out own abilities. The team is confident we will get out of it and there are no doubts in our minds, we will get out of it."

With a problems of their own on the pitch and old rivalries at stake, Hull will not be out to be hand any favours out to City.

Unfortunately for City, the loss of Darren Edmondson and Lee Bullock through suspension will force boss Terry Dolan to once again tinker with his formation.

Dolan was refusing to give too much away today, but it is possible he could bring Nick Richardson and Alex Mathie back into the starting line-up, although Peter Duffield could be vying for a place as well.

This would see York go for the attacking 3-4-3 formation, a tactic which saw them draw 0-0 with Rochdale.

Updated: 08:51 Tuesday, January 29, 2002