ANTHONY STRAKER feels the growing bond he is developing with Femi Ilesanmi down the left hand side of the pitch could pay big dividends for York City this season.

The winger, a summer capture after turning down a new deal at Southend United, could make his debut for the Minstermen tomorrow as Nigel Worthington's men travel to Tranmere for the Sky Bet League Two opener.

Straker is likely to team up with Femi Ilesanmi on the flank and the versatile player, who turned out at full-back in his colleague's absence in the 2-0 pre-season win over Sheffield United last weekend, is confident the work the duo have put in during pre-season will bear positive fruit now the real action is about to finally get under way.

Asked which was his preferred position, Straker said: "Like any player, you are happy to be out on the pitch full stop but I do prefer to play higher up the pitch and in a bit more of an attacking role. But if I have to be used in the full-back position I would like to say I could do something there.

"Full-back is a position I have played for a good few seasons so I know the role already.

"I think it makes it easier playing on that side with Femi, who knows it as well. We get on and play quite well together because we have got an understanding and know what we expect from each other.

"Every day we are working on trying to better ourselves to help the team and I think we are going in the right direction. As long as we keep having that understanding and getting along we will do really well.

"If he gets forward, I know I have to fill in for him and he knows how to back me up in terms of going forward and helping each other out in defending. If anything, we have got high expectations of each other so it helps to push us on."