ASSISTANT-MANAGER Darron Gee has intimated the team that takes to the field tomorrow against Hartlepool United could be the front-runners to start to the season proper.

Last Saturday’s 1-1 draw at Billingham Synthonia was City’s sixth game of pre-season, in which Gee and manager Gary Mills have had a look at all the players in the squad and various on-field combinations.

There are now three friendlies to go before the Blue Square Bet Premier opener at Ebbsfleet on August 13 – tomorrow’s Bootham Crescent encounter with League One Pools will be followed by a trip to Halifax on Tuesday and then a finale against Premier League outfit Bolton at home a week later – and Gee believes it is time to start forming a favoured starting 11.

Those who take on Pool could have first dabs on holding down a berth. “It’s up to us now, looking over the next couple of weeks, to get the side settled,” said Gee.

“It’s always the case in pre-season. We’ve given every lad an opportunity, and now it’s down to me and Gary to sit down and say this is possibly the way we will go.

“It’s then down to players to put performances in to keep a shirt or force their way in. You’re never going to keep everybody happy but that’s football. If that side (against Hartlepool) does well then they’re possibly in the box seat going forward.

“We’re only two Saturdays away from starting the league and we’ve got to make sure we’re switched on.”

City supporters who have purchased a season ticket will be able to collect their booklets from the general office from tomorrow.

Tickets will be available from 11am until the start of the match, then again after the final whistle.