THERE will be no divided loyalties in the Lincolnshire-based Hocking household tonight - all will be cheering for York City.

Rejuvenated City defender Matt Hocking's father, Paul, is a coach at Lincoln City's centre of excellence but, despite being employed by the Imps, is likely to be shouting on the Minstermen when the two sides meet at Sincil Bank.

"When I was young I lived half an hour away from Lincoln and I saw them a lot," Hocking junior told the Evening Press.

"My dad runs an academy affiliated to Lincoln City but I don't think there will be any split loyalties at all. He has watched me a lot at York and I am sure he will secretly be wanting me to do well and my team to do well. I'm pretty sure he'll be supporting York."

Hocking, from Boston in Lincolnshire, has fought his way back into the City side having seen injuries and suspensions take account of centre-back rivals Gary Hobson, Peter Swan and Mark Sertori.

And such have been his performances since returning to the starting line-up against Brighton last month - culminating in Saturday's man-of-the-match display at Southend - he is unlikely to be ushered out of the team in a hurry.

"I was given the chance when Gary Hobson was injured and I've been pleased to stay in the team," said the 22-year-old modestly.

"I've never struggled with confidence, but I don't think the supporters have seen the best of me. I've just wanted to show them what I can do."

Hocking, who perhaps suffered as ex-manager Neil Thompson introduced him to replace the hugely popular Andy McMillan, has recently given some sterling displays which have come in the face of defensive adversity.

Due to the injuries and suspensions, three different back lines have played together in the five games in which he has featured.

Tonight, he is again set to line up alongside makeshift defender Colin Alcide, who played at centre-back for the first time in his York career in Saturday's 1-0 defeat.

"The gaffer, I think, would prefer to get four regular players to get used to each other - the famous Arsenal defence was so good because they played together so many times over the years," said Hocking.

"The players here are good enough to do a job and they're all good players but it's been difficult as a team because of the suspensions and injuries.

"You get to know each other as you play together but we haven't had that."

Although he played at right-back for much of last season, Hocking prefers playing in the centre and his displays in his favourite position have not gone unnoticed by boss Terry Dolan.

"I know he was playing at full-back when I came here (in February) but he's a centre-back and that's his best position," said the boss.

"He has taken his chance well. He's got to keep at it and keep improving but at the moment he's doing enough to keep his place."

Transfer-listed striker Barry Conlon is back in the City squad after a virus forced him to withdraw from Saturday's trip to Southend, while defender Martin Reed is also added after a virus has kept him out of the picture for the past fortnight.

Of City's injured crop, midfielder Kevin Hulme returned to light training yesterday and is expected to be back in full training this week.

Injuries have weakened Lincoln's defence, with three centre-backs all out of the reckoning.

Scott Eustace has a knee injury, Anthony Henry a stress fracture of the foot and Steve Welsh has a groin strain, while midfielder Peter Gain joins them on the sidelines with knee trouble.

York City v Lincoln file

Nationwide League Division Three at Sincil Bank

York City

Team: Alan Fettis, Barry Jones, Matt Hocking, Colin Alcide, Neville Stamp, Lee Bullock, Steve Agnew, Kieron Durkan, Graham Potter, Alex Mathie, David McNiven.

Subs (from): Russ Howarth, Barry Conlon, James Turley, Scott Jordan, Christian Fox, Martin Reed

Injury news: Peter Duffield (broken leg), Peter Swan (knee), Chris Fairclough (calf), Gary Hobson (knee), Kevin Hulme (hamstring), Wayne Hall (thigh)

Suspended: Mark Sertori, Darren Edmondson

Lincoln

Probable: Alan Marriott; Paul Smith, Steve Holmes, Grant Brown, Paul Mayo; Richard Peacock, John Finnigan, Justin Walker, Kingsley Black; Gavin Gordon, Paul Miller.

Subs (from): Craig Mawson, Marcus Stergiopoulos, Jason Barnett, Lee Thorpe, John Schofield, Stuart Bimpson, Tony Battersby.

Injury news: Scott Eustace (knee), Anthony Henry (foot), Steve Welsh (groin), Peter Gain (knee).Suspended: Dave Cameron

Referee: Phil Dowd (Stoke-on-Trent)

Match Facts

IN 33 past visits to Sincil Bank, City have won seven times with nine draws.

Their victories on this ground were 4-2 in 1962-3, 1-0 in 1964-5, 3-1 in 1967-8, 5-4 in 1970-1, 4-3 in 1985-6, 1-0 in 1922-3 and 2-1 in 1998-9 when striker Marc Williams scored both City goals.

Williams also netted in the corresponding game last term when City went down 4-2. Kevin Hulme was the other scorer.

The heaviest reverse at Lincoln was 4-0 in 1969-70.

Players to have appeared for both clubs include John Hawksby, John Mackin, Tommy Spencer and Steve Richards.