Touch Wood

The versatile 20-year-old had a shoulder operation over Christmas to remove a bone growth, which physio Jeff Miller feared could have been cancerous.

Luckily, that was not the case and Wood has now made a full recovery and is enjoying football again without his "hump".

He said: "The growth on my left shoulder came up quite big and I had to have an operation. I had it at the start of the season and played through it but it just grew and grew and got worse over Christmas.

"I was not too worried about cancer because I did not know that there were suspicions it might be and Jeff Miller did not tell me that until after the operation. It does surprise you a bit to be told that and makes you think about things more and put things into perspective.

"Now I'm just enjoying life and football without my big hump and feel 100 per cent better."

Wood has only played one reserve game since his operation and has not figured in the first team since a substitute outing at Cheltenham in November.

But if he is required at the Kassam Stadium, Wood insists he is ready to do a job, saying: "I'm definitely ready and would love to play at Oxford. I've only had one reserve game but I lasted 90 minutes and came through with no worries at all.

"It's been massively frustrating watching from the sidelines but you have to keep your head straight and concentrate on getting back. I was pleased to get a decent run of games at the start of the season but then I was substitute a few times when the lads were doing well.

"I'm out of contract at the end of the season and you try not to think about that but it's at the back of your mind. I've just got to get on with my job now and keep my fingers crossed."

Wood has operated in defence and midfield this season for City and expresses a slight preference for a position in the Minstermen engine room.

He said: "I am just glad to play wherever the gaffer puts me and I will try and do my best but I possibly prefer midfield because you are more involved."

Wood also believes City are capable of improving a record of one point from a possible 21 and getting a result at an Oxford team, who are unbeaten at home in the league this season, saying: "I don't know why we have started slipping. Maybe it's just down to a couple of results not going our way and not about performing badly.

"Against Mansfield we were unlucky because they got two great goals and your confidence takes a bit of a knock as well when that happens. Sometimes you just need one result and a bit of luck to get back on track.

"Oxford are a strong side and are doing well but I think we can go there with our good team spirit and get something if we stick together, as we normally do away from home."

Manager Chris Brass has described Wood's return as akin to the arrival of a new player, saying: "It's a shame we have not had any reserve games of late but he's trained well and kept on top with his fitness. He will be involved in the squad against Oxford and, when you get lads like him back, it's as good as a new signing.

"He's somebody who did exceptionally well at the start of the season and, hopefully, he can recapture his form between now and the end of the season to stake his claim and earn himself a new contract."

City's Pontins Holiday League reserve game at Newcastle United later this month have been moved.

The match, originally scheduled for Thursday, March 18, will be now be played on Wednesday, may 5.

York City - Probable: Ovendale, Smith, Brass, Davies, Cooper, Walker, Bullock, Dickman, Merris Nogan, Yalcin. Subs (from): Porter, Ward, Coad, Bell, Wood, Downes, Fox.

Oxford - Probable: Woodman, McNiven, McCarthy, Crosby, Bound, Robinson, Whitehead, Wanless, Hunt, Alsop, Rawle. Subs (from): Steele, Scott, Ashton, Hackett, Waterman, Louis.

Updated: 11:33 Wednesday, March 03, 2004