YORK City will target back-to-back victories in the Vanarama National League for the first time this season against a Hartlepool United side recently boosted by the appointment of Kevin Phillips.

Neal Ardley’s side will be vying to produce a stronger performance than the previous defeat to Hartlepool, with the two sides only separated in the division by just a single point.

Three points for York could see the Minstermen rise as high as 12th in the National League and nine points clear of the relegation zone, in what could be a crucial clash in front of a sold-out away end.

KICK OFF: Saturday, January 27 (3pm)

VENUE: The Suit Direct Stadium

Predicted line-ups:

York City (5-2-3): Sykes-Kenworthy; Fallowfield, Smith, Howe, Crookes, Duckworth; Woodyard, McLaughlin, Burgess; Chadwick, Akinyemi

Team news: It’s unclear whether Thierry Latty-Fairweather will become back available after suffering a family bereavement in midweek, but Michael Duckworth looked comfortable in left-wing back and could retain that position on Saturday.

Paddy McLaughlin could also keep his position, whilst it wouldn’t be surprising if York remained unchanged, with Billy Chadwick starting as part of a front two in place of either Will Davies and Lenell John-Lewis.

City will most likely also stick with their back five, which they’ve become comfortable with in recent matches.

Leading scorer: Dipo Akinyemi (10)

League position: 17th

Manager: Neal Ardley

Last five: Win – Oxford City (A) 1-2, Draw – Boreham Wood (A) 1-1, Win – Gateshead (H) 2-0, Draw – Gateshead (A) 1-1, Draw - Ebbsfleet United (H) 1-1

Hartlepool United (4-4-2): Dixon; Hendrie, Parkes, Waterfall, Ferguson; Wallace, Featherstone, Mancini, Khan; Grey, Duffus

Team news: Phillips’ first match in charge ended in a disappointing 1-0 defeat to Kidderminster Harriers, so the Hartlepool boss may be tempted to make changes.

That could include the introduction of the Poolies’ two latest signings, with Luke Waterfall and Otis Khan likely to make their first starts since both completing the switch from Grimsby Town.

Anthony Gomes Mancini remains Hartlepool’s key player that will orchestrate a lot of play, whilst the club’s top scorer Emmanuel Dieseruvwe will be absent due to a long-term injury.

Leading scorer: Emmanuel Dieseruvwe (13)

League position: 14th

Manager: Kevin Phillips

Last five: Loss – Kidderminster Harriers (H) 0-1, Win – Ebbsfleet United (A) 0-1, Loss – Hampton & Richmond (H) 0-0  (2-4 on penalties), Loss – AFC Fylde (A) 2-1, Win – Oxford City (H) 2-1

Match odds: Hartlepool 21/20, Draw 5/2, York City 49/20

Previous meeting: A poor afternoon for City saw John Askey return to his old stomping grounds and leave with all three points.

Jake Hastie put the visitors ahead just six minutes in, before Tom Crawford doubled Hartlepool’s advantage nine minutes later to put the Poolies in the driving seat.

Nicky Featherstone added to the deficit in the second-half, before Tyler Cordner netted a consolation strike in stoppage-time.