CALVIN Andrew is confident he can "hit the ground running" even though he has not played a game of football since Boxing Day.

York City's new striker lined up for Mansfield during a 3-0 Yuletide defeat at Rochdale and subsequently parted company with the Field Mill outfit when his six-month contract came to an end during the January transfer window.

He has since been without a club but is no stranger to that situation, having kicked off last season unattached following an unsuccessful trial with Crawley Town.

Andrew went on to join Port Vale three months into the campaign and argues that his off-the-field discipline means he can cope with periods out of the game.

On his current condition, the 27-year-old target man said: "I have been doing general stuff to keep myself fit.

"I've been in this situation before and people around football know I am a professional guy. I live my life in a certain way that benefits me and makes me able to hit the ground running.

"I am in pretty good shape and ready to go and play football. Your first instinct at any club you go to is to have a good start so I am very keen to get out on the field and show what I can do.

"As a footballer, as in any walk of life, you always want to perform to the best of your ability and impress."

Andrew has become the second disillusioned player to switch Mansfield for the Minstermen this term, following ex-team-mate John McCombe, who has since become a mainstay in the Bootham Crescent back line.

While Nigel Worthington's men have leapt into a play-off place following a remarkable run of form in 2014, the Stags are still embroiled in a relegation fight and Andrew is pleased to be looking up the table again after making 24 appearances during Vale's promotion campaign last term.

He added: "Going to Mansfield wasn't the right move for me, which was part of the reason behind me only signing for six months. I wasn't too sure about the club's ambitions and we had different feelings about certain things and it just didn't work out.

"But that's football sometimes. I received a call from Nigel Worthington who, everybody knows, is a big manager in the game and he spoke to me about enjoying my football again and doing well for the club.

"I am very pleased now to be at a club going places under a manager with good ambitions."

Andrew is expected to make his City debut off the bench during tonight's home match with bottom-of-the-table Torquay.

He was also a substitute when Mansfield visited the Gulls back in October with Paul Cox's men only managing a 0-0 draw against their ten-man hosts.

City's new signing is not, therefore, expecting a comfortable evening, reasoning: "They are in a difficult position and a dogfight but it won't be an easy game and I am sure we will be well-drilled in what to expect from them."


Match facts

YORK City and Torquay United have met 22 times in the Football League at Bootham Crescent and this fixture has been drawn on 12 occasions.

City have won seven times and United three, including 2-0 last term on November 4, 2012.

The line-up was: Ingham, Challinor, Smith, Doig, Fyfield, Oyebanjo, Parslow (Kerr), Blair, Rodman (Chambers), Reed (Walker), Kearns.

City’s last home win in the League over the Devon club was 4-3 in 2002/3 and their biggest success in the series was 3-1 in 1971/72.

In Conference football, Torquay won on both of their visits.

Along with Ryan Jarvis other players who have been connected with both clubs include Micky Cave, Eddie Rowles, Sean Hasegrave, Alan Hay, Alan Pearce, Paul Baker, Anthony Lloyd and Nicky Wroe.

It happened on March 25

1932: A 5-2 win over Rochdale at Fulfordgate in Division Three North watched by 5,285. On the scoresheet were Matt Jenkinson (2), Reg Baines (2) and Oliver Thompson.

1963: Norman Wilkinson and Tommy Heron were the scorers in a 2-0 home win over Hartlepools United in the Fourth Division in front of 4,558.

1966: City crashed to a 7-2 defeat at Swansea and were at the foot of the Third Division (League One).

1967: A 5-1 victory over Luton Town at Bootham Crescent in the Fourth Division with Andy Provan (2), Les Collinson, Tom Spencer and John Goodchild on target watched by 1,912. It was only the second win in 20 League games and City were second from bottom in the table.

1968: Bradford Park Avenue were beaten 6-2 at Bootham Crescent thanks to goals from Tommy Ross and Ted MacDougall who each bagged a brace and Roly Horrey and Andy Provan. The crowd for this Fourth Division (League Two) game was 4,009.

2000: City beat Hartlepool United 2-0 at home in the Third Division (League Two) with John Williams and Colin Alcide the marksmen watched by 4,079.

2006: Conference leaders Accrington Stanley won 4-2 at York. The crowd was 3,912 and on target were Clayton Donaldson and Andy Bishop.

Compiled by David Batters