A DRIVING hunger to succeed is spurring York City's young guns on to success.

That's the view of Minstermen terrier Richard Cooper, who reckons the fresh faces in the City ranks belie a steely determination to achieve.

Cooper, who signed a permanent contract after a successful loan spell from First Division Nottingham Forest at the end of last season, is one of eight players in the new-look City squad aged 21 or under.

It is a remarkable transformation at Bootham Crescent as manager Terry Dolan puts his faith in younger blood.

Since the turn of the year, the City chief has culled ten players aged 30 or over as part of his Minstermen overhaul.

To have so many young players at his disposal could be perceived as something of a gamble.

However, Cooper, a former England Under-18 international, believes City's young tyros have enough incentive to prove their worth.

"Chris Smith, who has come in from Reading, is in the same boat as me, as is Neville Stamp," explained Cooper.

"Like me, they weren't playing regularly in the first team and were mainly playing in the reserves.

"We came here to get first team football and perhaps we have got something to prove.

"The gaffer has given us a chance and it is up to us now and prove to him that we are worth it. We have got a young squad, which is what the manager wanted.

"There's Lee Bullock and Christian Fox and Russ Howarth and Marc Thompson, who are all young lads, and it would be great if we could all come through together."

Cooper admitted after having his first real taste of a prolonged run of first-team football he was desperate for the new season to begin.

"I managed to get about 14 games under my belt last season and it was hard.

"I would be lying if I said it wasn't, especially the first few games," he said.

"But after that I thought I settled in all right and I was pleased with how I finished.

"I just want to build on that now and I just hope the team can do well."

However, Cooper will have to wait longer than the rest of his team-mates before sampling League football again.

He is suspended for City's first game of the new season against Rushden & Diamonds this Saturday after being sent-off in City's penultimate game of last season at Shrewsbury.

Cooper said: "It is quite difficult knowing I'm not going to be playing.

"Everything is geared towards August 11 and I'm going to be suspended.

"But I have just got to get my mind on the next game and hope the lads win.

"I have just got to keep focused and concentrate on getting really fit."

With the City squad trimmed to just 19 senior players, Cooper's versatility could be of vital importance to manager Dolan this season.

And the right-footer admits he doesn't know what his best position is.

"I don't mind where I play and I don't know where the gaffer is going to go formation-wise.

"I've played right wing back and the right of midfield before and I've also played in the middle.

"It's good to have a few positions under your belt, but I would like to be settled."