YORK City midfielder Christian Fox's best present this Christmas would be a return to the Minstermen's starting line-up.

Fox was an unused substitute at Torquay on Saturday as he returned to the first-team squad for the first time since September's 2-0 defeat at Bury.

He has since been sidelined with injury but is hoping to get his chance during the busy festive period.

City will play Kidderminster, Hull City and Rochdale in the space of seven days and the 22-year-old Scotsman feels fit and ready to play his part if required.

He said: "I was pleased to get another 90 minutes for the reserves this week and I have played a few games now so hopefully I will be pushing for a first-team place over Christmas with plenty of games coming up.

"The gaffer is going to need players and I have been doing well in the reserves so I might get my chance. I just want to cement a first-team place down really.

"I have not got a good run of games going this season through injury and what-not but I just want to get back now."

Fox has also scored in each of City's last two reserve games and, despite a record of just one goal in 74 appearances as a Minsterman, he believes he can add his new-found goalscoring touch to boost the first team's firepower.

Lee Nogan and Lee Bullock are the team's leading marksmen with only four goals apiece and Fox said: "I think all the midfielders at the club will have to chip in with their fair share of goals the way it's looking at the moment and hopefully that will put me in the picture. I think I can get goals but I just need a run in the team to get my match fitness.

"I think I struggled with fitness in the first couple of reserve games I had and it's difficult when there's only a game every two weeks but the last few weeks we have had a game every week and I have felt fitter every match."

Fox admitted that he was pleased to be part of last week's squad at Torquay but, with Mitch Ward returning from injury and Stephen Brackstone also currently in reserve, he realises competition is strong for places in the middle of the park.

He said: "It was good to be recalled even though I did not get on. It was nice to be involved with all the lads again.

"I have been frustrated but the lads who have been playing have been doing well so you can't have a problem with that. The gaffer has just said he wants to see a bit more from me in the reserves and I think I have done that in the last few games."

Updated: 10:31 Friday, December 19, 2003