A NEW and improved Matt Hocking is itching for his York City second coming tomorrow having proved patience is a virtue.

The one-time victim of the City boo-boys is in the reckoning to start his first League game since March with high-flying Brighton and Hove Albion the visitors to Bootham Crescent.

Hocking, charged by City boss Terry Dolan with returning the meanness to the Minstermen defence, told the Evening Press: "It is a great relief. I've just kept my head down and worked hard trying to prove to the gaffer that I am worth a place in the team.

It has been a long-haul back to the first team for Hocking, banished to the reserves not long after Dolan's arrival and making only the odd substitute appearance towards the end of last season.

"It happens at every club when a new manager arrives; sometimes he just doesn't fancy a player," said Hocking.

"But I wanted to show the gaffer I am not one of those lads that would just accept it.

"I wanted to prove to him and show I had a good attitude wherever he put me and hopefully I've done that."

The 22-year-old Boston-born defender is now keeping his fingers crossed that the City faithful fans give him their backing too.

At the start of last season some supporters, still smarting at the shock exit of City legend Andy McMillan, took out their frustrations on his replacement, Hocking.

"It would be great to have the fans on my side. I need to start well on Saturday to get my confidence going," Hocking admitted.

But even if the cruel taunts resurface Hocking, who came off the bench to grab a late winner at Brighton last year, believes he is now better equipped to deal with it.

"I feel I have grown a lot in the last year," he said.

"I'm still a young lad but I have learnt to control my feelings with regards to the crowd.

"I did let it get to me last season but if it did happen again I don't think I would react in the same way.

"I just want to feel comfortable and confident and be able to concentrate on myself. If I play well first and foremost that can only help the team do well."

A knee injury looks certain to prevent Gary Hobson from starting against the club he once skippered.

But it seems highly likely Dolan would have called upon Hocking's services tomorrow in any case.

An assured display in his only senior start of the current campaign against Stoke City in the Worthington Cup second leg tie at the Britannia Stadium earned Hocking plaudits from both Dolan and fans.

And the former Hull defender admits that game, which ended 0-0, could prove a turning-point in his Bootham Crescent career.

"In the Stoke game, the lads did well playing against a team from a higher division who played a different type of football.

"They passed the ball and so did we and I really enjoyed it but I know it is going to be different on Saturday.

"It will be back to the hustle and bustle of the Third Division but if I can maintain my form hopefully I will keep my place."

With Mark Sertori an expected victim of City's disappointing start to the season, axed to the reserves in midweek, Hocking is set to line-up alongside Barry Jones at the heart of the York rearguard.

With Jones moving into the middle, Darren Edmondson will drop in at right back.

York City (possible): Alan Fettis, Darren Edmondson, Barry Jones, Matt Hocking, Wayne Hall, Graham Potter, Steve Agnew, Scott Jordan, John Williams, David McNiven, Colin Alcide

Subs, from: Russ Howarth, Mark Sertori, James Turley, Martin Reed, Lee Bullock

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

Brighton (probable) : Mark Cartwright, Paul Watson, Matthew Wicks, Danny Cullip, Kerry Mayo, Gary Hart, Richard Carpenter, Charlie Oatway, Paul Rogers, Nathan Jones, Bobby Zamora

Subs, from: Steve Melton, Paul Brooker, Andy Crosby, Lee Steele, Rod Thomas, Michels Kuipers

Injury news: None

Kick-off: 3pm

Referee: Brian Curson (Hinckley)