FEMI Ilesanmi has admitted that his keenly-contested duel with Premier League ace Nathan Dyer has given him a big boost ahead of tomorrow's home clash against Mansfield.

The transfer-listed York City left back held his own against the highly-rated winger during one of the most intriguing battles in Tuesday night's 3-0 Capital One Cup defeat at Swansea.

It was a performance that has now given Ilesanmi a huge fillip as City prepare for their return to Sky Bet League Two action this weekend.

He said: "It's nice to test yourself against one of the best players in the Premier League and, hopefully, he found it as tough as I did! It was a very good battle and, when you do well against top Premier League players, it also gives you more confidence when you're up against League Two players during the rest of the season.

"Going to Swansea was always going to be tough and it was very difficult conceding a goal so early, but the boys did really well to keep things together. It could have got messy if we had lost our heads, but we kept the score down to 1-0 at half-time and could have got a couple of goals.

"It wasn't good conceding three goals in the end, but they are a top-ten Premier League side and we left there with our heads held high and confident of getting three points against Mansfield, because we gave it a go and fared well."

The game represented Ilesanmi's first full outing since a 0-0 home draw with Carlisle back in March and he is now hoping to persuade City chief Russ Wilcox that he is worthy of regular selection despite being deemed surplus to requirements in the summer.

"I'm a York City player regardless of what's happened," the 23-year-old defender reasoned. "I've not changed my mentality, work-rate or how I commit myself towards this team and, as long as I'm signed to York City, I will give everything for the club.

"I really enjoyed playing 90 minutes at Swansea and it shows how crazy football is. I didn't make the squad for the Yeovil game but, seven days later, I was playing in the Liberty Stadium and, when you've been in my position, you just have to keep working hard because you never know when things will turn around for you and, then, you have to make sure you're ready.

"I definitely was on Tuesday night and I'd like to think I've reminded the gaffer of what I can do whether that's at left back, on the left side of a back three or wherever he wants to play me and, if I get more opportunities in the team, I will be trying to cement a place and prove I can do a job."

Ilesanmi was used as a centre half in City's 3-5-2 formation after coming on as a 15th-minute substitute for the stricken Stephane Zubar at Exeter on Saturday.

He then operated at full back as Wilcox switched to a back four in South Wales and Ilesanmi feels equally at home in both roles, whilst adding that he is capable of performing at wing-back as well.

"I've played in a back three during a couple of behind-closed-doors games recently and played there when I was younger, so I'm used to it and people say it's one of my better positions," he revealed. "I feel comfortable there and I like to think I'm a good defender, especially in those one v one situations.

"I can also push the wing-back on and, if it's David (Tutonda), I can win the ball and give it him, which I thought worked well at Exeter. I believe I can play in all those left-sided roles and will be happy to play in whatever shape or system the gaffer wants to play."