FINDING THE NET: Southend's former York City striker Martin Carruthers

Sharp shooter Martin Carruthers is ready to gun down a reborn York City for a second time and dispel memories of a blank Minstermen past.

Ace marksman Carruthers admits he is relishing Saturday's clash between his current club, Southend United, and York at Roots Hall - if only as a chance to get back on the scoring trail.

Carruthers suffered six unproductive weeks at Bootham Crescent, then under the stewardship of Alan Little, at the beginning of last year while on loan from Peterborough.

The goal drought didn't stop Little, installed as Southend's chief at the end of last season, paying £30,000 for Carruthers at the start of this season.

Little's faith has been handsomely repaid as the goals have again flowed for the Nottingham-born 27-year-old.

Ironically, with 17 goals in 30 starts for the Shrimpers, only former City goal king and Carruthers' ex-Darlington strike partner Marco Gabbiadini is ahead of him in the Division Three goalscoring charts.

It is a goals per game ratio that will leave many City fans cursing. In six appearances for York he failed to find his way to goal once.

And when Carruthers did finally find the net at Bootham Crescent it was almost 12 months too late, and for the opposition - scoring Southend's equaliser in the 2-2 draw with City in December.

Speaking to the Evening Press, Carruthers admitted he hopes City's visit will provide the perfect opportunity for him to get back on the goalscoring trail.

"The last time I scored was in our home game over Chester, two matches ago, so it would be nice to get back amongst the goals on Saturday," he explained.

"It would be especially nice because it is York and also because I scored up there in December. It would be great to do it again."

Carruthers was at a loss to explain why the goals never came during his short City stint.

"At that moment in time the team was not doing that great and it was just one of those things - when your not in form you're not in form.

"But this season has gone really well for me personally. Things haven't gone so well for the club but I have scored a few and it has been really enjoyable."

Carruthers said he was delighted to have repaid the faith shown in him by Little, who was sacked by City after a 4-2 defeat at Notts County - the final time Carruthers featured in City colours as a non-playing substitute.

"I have known Alan Little from much earlier in my career and he has always been good to me.

"I wasn't getting in the Peterborough team at the time so going to York when I did was a great opportunity.

"Things didn't work out for me or Alan so I am glad I have done the business for him down here."

Carruthers will just be one of a handful of familiar faces on patrol for the Shrimpers.

Pulling the strings in midfield for United will be powerhouse Mark Tinkler, winger Gordon Connelly and possibly Nigel Pepper, on loan from Aberdeen.

Both Tinkler and Connelly joined striker Neil Tolson in bridging the North-South divide after departing Bootham Crescent last summer.

Ten-goal Tolson will not feature on Saturday. He is expected to be out for the remainder of the season after undergoing a groin operation.

However, Tinkler is reportedly returning to his best form after a severe bout of 'flu over Christmas saw the midfielder lose more than a stone in weight.

Connelly has been unable to claim a regular place in the starting line-up although he did play in last week's 2-0 defeat at Northampton, when Pepper was a substitute, and scored in the 2-2 draw at Bootham Crescent in December.

On the bench will be veteran shot-stopper Mark Prudhoe, another former York loan ranger, who has been plagued by an ankle injury.

see also 'Conference seek more promotion opportunities'

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