Controlled aggression

City duo Mark Tinkler, left, and Rodney Rowe, pictured in the thick of the action in last Saturday's dramatic victory over Millwall, have played crucial roles in City's improved form in the last two matches, says caretaker boss Neil Thompson

Andy McMillan's hopes of a return to action this season appear to be over

City's return to unbeaten form over the last two games has coincided with the restoration of Tinkler after serving his third suspension of the season.

Still, the City man - sent off three times this season and cautioned ten times - is awaiting punishment from the FA for a disrepute charge levelled at him for remarks to referee Ray Olivier leading to that third dismissal at Bristol Rovers six weeks ago.

But tread-carefully Tinkler has earned full marks from Thompson on his return to senior duty, which continues in an unchanged side for tomorrow's visit of Stoke City.

"Tinks has been very disciplined and a lot more professional," said Thompson. "He has not gone diving into things and he has helped the midfield to keep its shape, especially at Northampton, where we were under a lot of pressure."

Channelling his aggression thus had helped to bolster the recent performances of the Minstermen, who, claimed Thompson, had been far more controlled in their mission of getting the points to suppress the fear of relegation.

Now that self-discipline was key to a brace of home games against Stoke tomorrow and then Blackpool on Tuesday night. A maximum high of six points would go a long way to eroding the threat of the drop into the basement.

Declared Thompson: "These are big games for us, really big games. It's all 'ifs', but two wins are what we want to achieve and we have got to be looking for victory in both matches. Even if it did not make us safe two wins would drag other clubs into the battle. It would make other teams look over their shoulder."

That reasoning also put paid to Thompson seriously accepting comments from Stoke boss Brian Little that the Potters' play-off push was over after squeezing just one point from two outings at their Britannia Stadium.

"They may be a bit off the play-off pace now, but they are professionals and there is always pride at stake. No one is going to lay down and die in this division because so many teams are involved in vital issues.

"Look at Millwall. They've got Wembley this Sunday, but in midweek they did a job on Colchester and were leading at our place last week until less than five minutes to go. It's going to be a scrap to the very end."

Another key man for City would be striker Marc Williams. His third goal in six appearances during the 2-2 draw at Northampton bore out the danger of the Welshman.

"He is a potent threat," ventured the City boss. "Put the ball in front of him and he goes at defenders. He upsets players and he is always looking to shoot.

"And with Rodney Rowe also showing better power and pace then we have a chance."

Any likely changes to City will be among the bench-warmers, where the substitutes at Northampton will be challenged by the return of wingers Craig Skinner and Gordon Connelly, plus defenders Graham Rennison and Martin Reed.

Stoke, meanwhile, will be battling to get out of a trough of form that has taken them from the top of the league in early winter to eighth place and eight points off the play-off zone. Stoke boss Brian Little, whose brother Alan was sacked as York manager five weeks ago, has issued a clarion call to his troubled Potters.

He said: "We are going to York to win because there is no alternative for us. There is no question of us going there to keep it tight. We will be going flat out from the first whistle to try to win."

Stoke have added in-form striker Peter Thorne to their squad. He hit four goals in as many games before suffering a thigh strain that kept him out of the midweek draw with lowly Wycombe.

City's youth team are without a fixture this weekend, next in action on Wednesday away to Chesterfield, kick-off 1pm.

Another blow for Andy

Luckless defender Andy McMillan has suffered a fresh setback.

The York City right-back, whose knee injury shattered his dream of making his 500th appearance before the end of this season, was at least hoping to figure in a reserves' game this term. But that prospect is fast fading.

Little improvement in his left knee, on which a cyst burst two weeks ago, means he has written off any more duty this term.

Said McMillan, a tantalising eight games away from his 500th milestone: "I thought I might have a chance of a couple games in the reserves, but one minute I feel all right and the next it's sore again.

"I might have to go back and see a specialist if there's no improvement. It's a blow, but I suppose I can't really grumble as I have been lucky with injuries in my career."

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