No quick fix is the stark warning issued by York City's returning hero Mark Bower.

The young centre-half is gearing up for his 'second coming' for tomorrow's visit of Shrewsbury Town to Bootham Crescent tomorrow.

During his three-month-loan with City at the end of last season Bower helped steer the Minstermen clear of the threat of relegation, recording nine clean sheets while conceding just nine goals in 15 appearances.

Now drafted in on a season-long loan from Bradford City to help stem the worrying tide of goals conceded, the Bantams starlet accepts his form of last season may have sparked great expectations but is pleading for patience from the City faithful.

"It was not just an individual effort last season, it was a team effort. As the team played well so we got to keep clean sheets," he explained

"I suppose because we did well last year people will be expecting a similar improvement.

"But we have conceded a few goals in the last few games and it won't change overnight.

"There are quite a lot of new faces here now for me to get to know and it will take time to get used to each other again.

"People like Peter Swan, who was a big help to me last season, has retired and Chris Fairclough is out injured

"But we have still got quite a few experienced defenders here and hopefully they can help me through and help me get back into it.

"There is a busy Christmas period coming up with a lot of games and a lot of points up for grabs."

Despite the extra-burden of responsibility, Bower said he was relishing a return to first-team football.

"I was delighted to come back. It doesn't seem like two minutes since I was here last season," he revealed.

"It has been a difficult time for me really because I haven't been playing regularly at Bradford.

"I haven't even been playing that much reserve team football even because you tend to have a couple of games then you miss a week.

"I want to get some games under my belt and help the team out."

Despite a lack of match action, when he has played in Bradford's reserves Bower has been able to pit his skills against the likes of Robbie Fowler, David Ginola and Darren Huckerby.

"But we have been fielding fairly young sides and it has been a bit of a struggle to be honest. We have managed a couple of draws but that has been about it," said the 20-year-old.

Bower has fond memories of his last appearance against Shrewsbury back in March when City recorded their first win under Terry Dolan with a 1-0 triumph at Gay Meadow.