YORK City chief Terry Dolan admits the Minstermen could not have chosen a tougher test of their credentials than tomorrow's opener at Chesterfield.

"It couldn't be a harder start for us because they have got a big strong squad," said the City boss.

"Their strikers, Luke Beckett and David Reeves, will obviously be a handful but I am not too worried about the opposition. I am more concerned what we will be doing and am just hoping the opposition will be talking about our strikers instead."

The City chief was keeping tight-lipped about his starting line-up although with everyone fit the only real poser surrounds who will partner Peter Duffield up front; Barry Conlon or Mark Sertori.

Dolan admitted with almost five weeks having passed since the players returned for the start of pre-season he was anxious for the campaign to finally start.

"This last week seems to have been dragging a little bit and one or two players have suffered the odd niggle but I tend to think that is a case of players making sure they are right for Saturday," he said.

Dolan said he was delighted with the way his pre-season preparations had gone and the way in which his four summer signings - Graham Potter, Peter Duffield, Gary Hobson and David McNiven - had settled in.

"Gary is a double of Mark Bower in many ways but has got more experience while Graham will probably give us more going forward than Peter Hawkins would.

"I am pleased that Peter Duffield has got his goals in the six yard box and with David McNiven coming in we have got good cover in case of any slip ups.

"Had Phil Hadland signed he would have given me cover at right wing-back but Marc Thompson was more like his old self against Scarborough in midweek and perhaps he knows he has got a place to fight for now."