SHOT STOPPER Alan Fettis has confirmed he is ready to commit himself to the York City cause.

Speaking exclusively to the Evening Press, the Northern Ireland international goalkeeper said: "We will sit down on Monday and discuss things but as long as things pan out correctly I will sign, no problem."

The 29-year-old, who joined the Minstermen on a short-term contract at the end of last season from Blackburn Rovers, admitted he had received offers to go elsewhere.

"I have spoken to a couple of people but things haven't been what I wanted as far as playing was concerned," said Fettis, who quashed speculation linking him with first division Burnley claiming it to be "just rumours".

"I knew nothing about that," he said.

Fettis conceded his major concern over committing himself to York was the fact the club was in the basement division and the effect that may have on his international ambitions.

His form with City last season did earn his first recall to the Northern Ireland squad in almost 18 months.

But he will not be satisfied until he reclaims his country's number one spot.

"It was great to get a foot back in. It really meant a lot to me," he said.

"I have a lot of pride and when I lost my spot it hurt a lot.

"But there are two goalkeepers in front of me who can play a higher standard of football and until I reach the level they are at I will probably always be faced with being third choice.

"It is Third Division football which is probably the stumbling block but Terry (Dolan) is very optimistic about getting promotion.

"That's great and the lads are thinking that way as well. We will see how things go but, hopefully, it will work out well."

Fettis was full of praise for the club and its fans.

"I enjoyed myself at the end of last season and I have no worries about coming here," he said.

"It is a great feeling to be number one and I appreciate being thought of like that.

"I enjoy working with Russ Howarth and Neville Southall when he comes in.

"I just want to make sure everything is right, for my family as well.

"I live in Nottingham which is a fair way but there is always ways around theses things, especially if the will is there to play.

"For a third division club York is very well run, even first division clubs wouldn't have facilities like York City have here.

"As far as I am concerned they are playing Division Three football but it is not a third division club.

He was also fulsome in his praise for City manager Dolan, who gave him his Football League debut at Hull City.

"I know how Terry works and he knows how I work and we gel quite well together."

Fettis also predicts a bright future for his current understudy, Howarth.

"Russ has got a lot of potential and is very talented.

"The club are expecting big things of him and if he keeps working the way he does at the moment it will happen for him."

david.stanford@ycp.co.uk