FANS’ favourite Djoumin Sangare has agreed to sign a new contract that will keep him at York City until Christmas.

Frenchman Sangare, affectionately known as ‘Jimmy’ by City supporters, has accepted the six-month deal he was offered at the end of an injury-interrupted season with the Minstermen.

Manager Martin Foyle has now challenged the 26-year-old defender to earn a longer stay at Bootham Crescent by proving his fitness during the first half of the 2010/11 campaign.

Former Salisbury and Stafford Rangers centre-back Sangare was sidelined for a total of 16 games last season and the City chief said: “Jimmy has verbally agreed to a short-term contract but has not signed it yet as he is in France.

“He didn’t play enough games for me last season but he’s never done a pre-season in five years and that doesn’t help. I’m not doubting his ability, but I want to see more of him in terms of games.

“He’s got a contract until Christmas so I’m putting him under a bit of pressure, but good players respond to that.”

Foyle also feels that Sangare, who was thrown on as an emergency striker at Wembley during the latter stages of City’s 3-1 Blue Square Premier final defeat against Oxford, can establish himself as the club’s “utility man” next season.

The City boss added: “I want to look at Jimmy in the middle of the park, in the centre of defence and at right-back during pre-season.

“Every side needs a utility man and I think he can be ours.

“Players like Alex Lawless, Neil Barrett and Dan Parslow can cover a number of positions too and that’s good because we will be looking at a squad of 19 senior players and the two young boys (Dean Lisles and Jamie Hopcutt).

“Jimmy could do a good job for us in midfield but he will need to be fit to do it.

“I think if he spends two years at the same club and gets a pre-season in him, we might get a good player but that will be down to him.”