WINGER Michael Coulson is desperate to fight his way back into York City’s first-choice line-up.

Coulson started City’s first five games of 2014 but lost his place following the 2-0 defeat at Hartlepool.

Having been left out of the starting XI for last week’s 2-0 home defeat to Chesterfield and the 2-1 win over Fleetwood, the former Scarborough wideman came off the bench to play a key role in Wes Fletcher’s winning goal at Highbury.

Coulson admitted hating life as a substitute, saying: “It was a tough week not being involved from the start in two games and I didn’t take it too well to be fair.

“It was very frustrating – I won’t lie. Luckily, I have just got my head down.

“I hate being sat on the bench and wanted to get on at Fleetwood so it was nice to make another little impact. I was disappointed to get dropped but the only way I can get back in the team is to prove a point again and that’s what I am trying to do.”

On his chances of earning a recall for this weekend’s home clash with Cheltenham, Coulson, pictured, reasoned: “That’s up to the manager. All the lads played well at Fleetwood. I can’t take anything away from any of them, so I have just got to keep doing what I am, keep plodding on and see where that takes me.”

Having won at Fleetwood, Coulson also reckons 13th-placed City can now target a top-half position in the Sky Bet League Two standings with confidence, especially as they will not be encountering impressive table-toppers Chesterfield again this term.

“Cheltenham will be another tough game, as most are week in, week out,” Coulson said of Saturday’s visitors to Bootham Crescent. “But Chesterfield were an exceptional side and I don’t think we will see that kind of performance again all season.

“Most of the other teams are hard-working but we are more than a match for all of them. Fleetwood were third and there was nothing between the two sides.

“That’s the frustrating thing for us and the fans because we know we should be higher. We don’t want to be hanging around 13th to the bottom of the table.

“We want to be looking at 13th upwards. We have a squad capable of doing that, so we need to make sure we play consistently well week in, week out and not let ourselves down again so we can climb that table.”