Returning York City defender Chris Fairclough will cap his long-awaited return to senior action tomorrow with a historic milestone.

The top-flight championship winner is set to make his first senior appearance of the 21st century at Southend United.

But even more memorable for Fairclough, out injured since December 28, is that he will also be making his 500th league appearance of a distinguished career.

Speaking to the Evening Press, the defensive rock admitted he was unaware of the memorable marker.

"It is something I did not realise until you told me," he said. "But obviously it would be a real landmark.

"I am just looking forward to getting involved having missed the last three months with the injury.

"It has taken a lot longer to have heeled than I would have liked but that is a situation you have to accept - the older you get the longer injuries take to clear up."

Fairclough said a near 18 month lay-off with a groin injury when he was just making his way at Nottingham Forest and eight months out of the game after snapping his cruciate knee ligament with Bolton had stood him in good stead for the sideline frustration.

"You have got to get injuries right first and foremost, you need to make sure you do recover.

"My general fitness feels good and while I would have liked to have got my match fitness up to par we do not live in a perfect world and you have got to start somewhere."

Having not yet played under new boss Terry Dolan, Fairclough admitted even at 35 he was anxious to prove his worth ahead of next season.

"Whenever a new manager comes in and makes changes players are wondering whether they are part of his plans and it is no different for me," he said.

Fairclough's return is Dolan's only change - forced by Peter Swan's one match suspension - to a side that has won three matches on the trot.

The other additions to the squad are midfielder Scott Jordan, who played 90 minutes for the reserves in midweek after being out for four weeks with a back injury, and defender Matt Hocking.

Hocking's inclusion will be a boost to the 22-year-old having not featured in the first team squad since the 2-0 defeat at Peterborough and having seemingly fallen behind Barry Jones, Marc Thompson and Darren Edmondson in the fight for the right back berth.

However, he impressed playing as one of three centre-backs in the reserves' 3-1 win over Walsall as did Colin Alcide, who notched for the second string to add to his winning goal against Hartlepool last Saturday.

"It just goes to show you the competition for places is making things very healthy," said Dolan, who moved quickly to quell any hype about the trip to Roots Hall where a handful of ex-Minstermen, bossed by one-time chief Alan Little, will be on show.

In another twist, City striker Barry Conlon will be returning to his former club for the first time since his £100,000 move in the summer.

"There will obviously be a bit of added spice to the game," said Dolan, who noted only Barry Jones and Steve Agnew of tomorrow's starting line-up played under Little.

"I have had a word with Barry. He has not got a point to prove. He is going out there on Saturday as a member of York City's team and not as Barry Conlon showing himself and people what he can do.

"An area where we can improve is retaining possession better when we get the ball forward. I think we can do that a lot better."

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