CENTRE-BACK David McGurk has been challenged to regain his best form if he wants to force his way back into York City manager Gary Mills’ plans for next season.

A series of niggling knee, calf and throat problems saw McGurk play no part in the Minstermen’s 2011/12 promotion campaign after limping out of the action against Mansfield Town on New Year’s Day.

The 29-year-old defender had started 21 games before his enforced lay-off but Mills also believes the two-time former The Press Player of the Year needs to improve on his performances prior to becoming sidelined.

On McGurk, who has a year left to run on his current contract at Bootham Crescent, Mills said: “I was disappointed with my centre-backs in general at the start of last season and Dave McGurk and Chris Smith both got left out at different times.

“Dave got injured and, then, Chris Smith regained his form and probably played some of the best football of his career.

“I will want that from David now and it’s up to him whether he’s a major part of what we do next season.

“He’s got his contract and knows he has to do better in League Two than he did last season.

“He’s had his injuries and has got to come back prepared mentally and physically because there’s going to be competition for centre-back places next season.”

After playing a part in all eight of City’s campaigns at Conference level, McGurk has been granted a benefit season at Bootham Crescent, which will kick off with a pre-season friendly at home to his boyhood heroes Middlesbrough on Saturday, August 4.

City boss Mills added that the match will also provide a very useful exercise for the team a fortnight before the Football League season gets underway.

Said Mills: “Being Dave’s team, it’s a good one for him and it’s a decent one for us too.

“Whatever team they bring down, it will be a quality one and they will give us a testing game.”