YORK CITY assistant manager Steve Torpey reckons this season’s squad could be the strongest he has seen in his time with the Minstermen.

The former youth coach and first team coach at Bootham Crescent, who has also worked under ex-City chiefs Martin Foyle and Gary Mills since arriving at the club in December 2008, believes Nigel Worthington’s current crop have more quality and more energy.

“There is a bit more depth to the squad this season,” Torpey said as York prepared to host Championship club Leicester City tonight in the third of four home pre-season friendlies (kick off 7.45pm).

“Not so much in terms of bodies but there is a little bit more quality in terms of the players. There is more energy – the energy levels have risen with the new signings and they are two factors that can help us this season.

“I think last year was a massive learning curve for us.

“We managed to survive – it was quite comfortable at the end.”

Torpey added: “Everyone has come back really fit and strong.

“The programme we gave the players at the end of last season has been carried out to the letter and the new signings have been a massive positive for us.

“They are enthusiastic as well as listening and learning.”

Torpey said he had seen many positives from the club’s two score draws against Huddersfield and Blackpool and believes Leicester will pose similar problems to those faced by the Minstermen in the weekend draw with the Tangerines.“They are very similar in terms of where they want to be,” he added. “It is going to be tough. When you play a Championship team it is always going to be like that.

“We have been trying to work hard and play stiffer kinds of opposition rather than play against lesser sides where you don’t get as much out of it as a competitive game.

“We are more than capable of doing well and we don’t want to lose any games. You want to try and get momentum going into the season.

“But it’s an exercise and you look at other things more than the result. They are important but it is about August 3.”

While the line up of City’s squad for tonight’s match had not yet been decided, with a couple of players carrying minor knocks and niggles, Torpey said Wes Fletcher, who was substituted with an ankle injury during the Blackpool game, had not suffered bone damage following an X-ray.

He said: “He had an X-ray on Sunday which did not show any significant damage and he got the all-clear from that but I believe he was going to see a specialist.”

Torpey also expressed his delight at working with Worthington and stressed it was forming a vital part of his coaching education.

“He is very thorough and organised and expects things to be done right,” he said of the City chief. “From the outset we have known what we wanted from the players and they have responded really well.

“You are always looking to learn things and pick up bits and pieces. I am still learning and looking to improve my coaching and I am looking forward to the start of the season like everyone else.”

Meanwhile, fans who have bought a season ticket can collect their books from 9.30am on Friday at the ticket office.

Tickets will also be available for collection at the final pre-season friendly against Sheffield United on Saturday (kick off 1.30pm).

They may be also be picked up from the ticket office during normal office hours from 9.30am until 5pm from Monday to Friday.