SUPER Mac Jon McCarthy has pledged things can only get better for both him and York City.

The wing-wizard received a hero's welcome on Saturday when he was a key factor in the Minstermen's thrilling 3-2 win over Leyton Orient.

It was McCarthy's first game for City in seven years and his first since signing non-contract terms last week.

Speaking to the Evening Press, McCarthy admitted he was delighted with the way his return had gone and with the effort and commitment shown by his new team-mates.

But the Northern Ireland international believes there's still more to come over the next few weeks.

"I'm fit and I don't carry any weight, I'm naturally fit like that, but I need games," he explained.

"I'll make more forward runs towards the end of matches when I get some more games under my belt.

"I would like to finish games a bit stronger than I am.

"I was pleased with some of my touches and some of my passing and I had plenty of movement.

"But I'm not on top of my fitness and there's a lot more to come."

McCarthy, 32, said he was overwhelmed by the greeting he received from the Bootham Crescent faithful.

"The crowd gave me a great reception but it did put me under a bit of pressure," he reasoned.

"It was a bit of concern to me, coming back to quite a bit of hype.

"I'm still trying to impress the rest of the squad as well and get them on my side.

"It's nice of course, I've got an ego like everybody else and it was tremendous to get that sort of reception."

McCarthy said he was impressed by the way City responded to falling behind twice, and by the football on show against Orient.

"We made two defensive mistakes which cost us and meant we were always chasing the game."

"But I was impressed with the way the lads passed the ball around."

City were today undertaking their now annual pre-match FA Cup preparations with a difference.

Ahead of Saturday's first round clash with Swansea City, manager Terry Dolan was today taking his squad courtesy of Dixon Renault to the Pepsi-Max F1 Karting Raceway at Monk's Cross.

Dolan has always insisted on taking his players away on the eve of the FA Cup.

Two seasons ago, when City battled through to the third round, he took the players to Filey for training sessions on the beach followed by fish and chips.

Last season, when the Minstermen went out to Fulham in the fourth round, the City boss took the players to Aldwark Manor, enabling the squad to use the hotel's top-class leisure facilities.

City have been boosted ahead of the cup clash with the return to training of defenders Gary Hobson, Scott Jones and Chris Smith.

But they are without Chris Brass and Jon Parkin, both suspended, and on-loan duo Lee Cook and Michael Reddy, both cup-tied.

The only senior squad player still sidelined is Tom Cowan with a calf strain.

Updated: 12:22 Tuesday, November 12, 2002