FLYING winger Lindon Meikle is relishing the chance to play 4-4-2 football again having joined York City from Mansfield.

The Minstermen have made Meikle their eighth summer signing after he penned a two-year deal and the 26-year-old attacker is now looking forward to impressing in his favoured formation.

With the Stags employing wing-backs last season, Meikle was largely restricted to bench warming as 27 of his 32 outings came as a substitute.

But City chief Nigel Worthington is a big 4-4-2 advocate and the ex-Eastwood Town wide man said: "I didn't get much game time last season and the system the team were playing did not suit me.

"It was a 3-5-2 formation with no wingers, so I didn't get many chances because the manager didn't want to rotate systems. The style of football didn't help much either.

"I am quite small but all Mansfield wanted to do was boom the ball forward. Every player wants to start games and I have a better chance with a team that plays 4-4-2."

Meikle is also hoping to follow the example of City centre-back John McCombe, who was jettisoned by Mansfield boss Paul Cox midway through last season having only made five league appearances in as many months.

The 29-year-old defender went on to forge an outstanding partnership with Keith Lowe at the heart of the City defence, as the side conceded just six times in the club's last 19 matches and marched into the Sky Bet League Two play-offs.

"If you look at John McCombe, they were saying he wasn't not good enough at Mansfield, but he ended up marshalling York into the play-offs, so that speaks for itself," Meikle reasoned.

City's latest signing is also pleased to have McCombe as a team-mate again rather than an adversary.

One of Meikle's two league starts last term came during the Minstermen's 1-0 win at Mansfield in March.

"I played up front in that game," the former England C international recalled. "I was chucked in even though I hadn't played many matches and, although I was grateful for that, York were solid and won easily.

"Michael Coulson ran rings around our players and I couldn't get by John. He won everything in the air and on the ground and the centre backs gave me nothing at all."

Meikle went on to admit that it took little time for him to commit the next two years of his career to the Minstermen, explaining: "My agent rang me at the start of this week and asked me if I could get up to York because Nigel Worthington wanted to speak to me.

"I thought I would be going for a chit-chat with the manager for him to get know to me but I spoke to him and the chairman and my agent rang me ten minutes afterwards to tell me they were keen and wanted to sign me.

"It was a very good offer but I wanted to consult my dad first and he was absolutely buzzing about the move because he couldn't wait for me to get away from Mansfield. I've played against York many times in the past and had good battles against them and always enjoyed the great atmosphere here."

Elsewhere, Northampton have signed midfielder John-Joe O'Toole from relegated Bristol Rovers, while Burton have recruited Preston striker Stuart Beavon on a year-long loan deal.

Cheltenham have also brought in released Bury goalkeeper Trevor Carson and Crawley midfielder Andy Drury has returned to Luton for a second spell at Kenilworth Road.