MICHAEL Ingham has signed a new one-year contract at York City despite losing his place to on-loan shot-stopper Nick Pope this season.

The Minstermen will still attempt to recruit Charlton reserve Pope in the summer but manager Nigel Worthington has revealed that Ingham is prepared to carry on battling for a starting place at Bootham Crescent.

Ingham has watched City's last 16 matches from the bench after Pope was preferred to him following a 2-0 win at Northampton in January.

He also missed games earlier in the campaign with a nerve problem in his thigh when Pope and fellow loan signings Chris Kettings and Aaron McCarey all deputised, but Worthington is happy that the former Northern Ireland international has put pen to paper, saying: "Michael has agreed to sign a new deal.

"He is York through and through and I am pleased to have a player of his stature and quality on board and around the football club. He appreciates there is competition for places, accepts that is healthy and was very happy to sign the contract.

"His attitude around the club and on the training field has been excellent during the last few months and he's a big personality within the club, which you need around the place. He's working very hard on a daily basis and has got to be ready to take any opportunity when it comes along."

Even if Worthington is unable to bring Pope back next term, Ingham has not been given any assurances that he will be the Minstermen's first choice between the sticks.

"Michael is a very good goalkeeper and he's up for the fight," the City chief revealed. "Whether I bring in a keeper on loan or sign one, there will be another good keeper coming into the club as well.

"I have sat down with Michael to explain that and that decisions will be made on performances."

Pope is contracted to his South London parent club until 2016 but it is believed the Addicks could consider a season-long loan stay with City next term to be in everybody's interests.

Bootham Crescent boss Worthington would not be drawn on that prospect, adding: "We are only focussed on this season at the moment and will get through to the summer and discuss things then."