NICK Pope was bid a fond farewell by York City boss Nigel Worthington following his final appearance for the club.

The on-loan Charlton goalkeeper will return to The Valley next season, where he is expected to now challenge for the Championship club’s number one shirt.

Pope was excellent again during last night’s 0-0 Sky Bet League Two play-off semi-final draw at Fleetwood that saw the hosts cling on for a 1-0 aggregate triumph.

But Worthington admitted that he will be looking elsewhere this summer for competition to contracted former, first-choice Michael Ingham.

The City boss said: “Since coming in, Popey has taken pressure off the back four. He settled in straight away and has loved living in York and being at the football club.

“That’s a big thing for a young lad so far from home and he’s done fantastically well. I will certainly be watching his career with interest in the future.

“It will be no surprise to me if he goes back to Charlton and gets in their team.”