SLOVAKIAN under-21 international Lubo Satka is ready to play a waiting game at York City.

The on-loan Newcastle United defender, who has one senior appearance for the Toon Army to his name, was an unused substituted during the Minstermen's 2-1 home victory over Stevenage last weekend.

That was the first match following Satka's temporary switch from the Premier League outfit but, with City chief Jackie McNamara having made no changes to his back four during the last three fixtures, the 6ft 1in, 20-year-old might be back on the bench for tomorrow's trip to table-topping Northampton.

The Minstermen's back line have only conceded once in each of the last six matches and Satka admitted: "I know it won't be easy to jump straight into the team, but I'm looking to impress the manager in training and, if I get a chance, I will be looking to take it.

"My first target here is to help the club climb up the table. That's the main thing and, for me, I'd also like to get as many games as I can."

One of Satka's chief rivals for a back-four slot, meanwhile, is fellow Magpies under-21 defender Kyle Cameron, who has impressed during three starts since his own loan move from St James' Park.

On renewing acquaintances with the 19-year-old Cameron, Satka added: "I spoke to Kyle when I was in Dubai on international duty and asked him how he was finding it here and how the games were going.

"Him being here has helped me settle in. We played together at Newcastle - not all the time because they like to change the centre backs around there - but quite a few times and, as a player, he is strong with his communication.

"He talks a lot on the pitch. He's also got a good left foot on him, reads the game well and can head and tackle.

"He was a bit frustrated at the start of this season, but he got himself two loan moves - at Workington and here - and has done well so far. We're both here because we want to get experience.

"It's totally different to what we do at Newcastle and it will help us if we get games under our belt and make us better players when we go back there."

Having come on as an FA Cup substitute for his parent club under caretaker boss John Carver last season, Satka is hoping it will not go unnoticed by current manager Steve McClaren if he impresses at Bootham Crescent.

"I've got another season after this one at Newcastle, so I'm looking to push on and show I deserve a new contract and that I can maybe play for Newcastle one day," Satka reasoned.

"I've started three friendlies for the first team and managed to get on for 30 minutes in the FA Cup at right back. We ended up losing to Leicester 1-0 but I really enjoyed it."

Satka added that he can operate in at least three different positions, but is more comfortable at the heart of a defence, saying: "Right or left-sided centre half is where I've played usually.

"My right foot is stronger, but I'm not too bad with my left. I've also played at right back a few times for my national team and Newcastle, and as a number-four holding midfielder."

City and Satka have also needed to be patient with the club and player having initially agreed terms a fortnight before his eventual arrival.

Explaining the prolonged transfer, the Ilava-born centre back said: "I came over for a day's training after York approached our assistant manager at Newcastle.

"The gaffer here then said he would like me to sign together with Kyle, but I had an international break in Dubai with Slovakia under 21s. We had a training camp and two games which I needed to go to, so everything had to wait."

Watching the Stevenage match from the dugout, meanwhile, gave Satka an opportunity to familiarise himself with his new club and Sky Bet League Two football.

"I'd not really watched any League Two games live before, but I have seen games in the FA Cup when clubs from this division have played Premier League clubs, so I know what it's all about," he declared. "It's totally different to under-21s football in terms of the atmosphere and everything about the games is more important, so Saturday was a great result for us and a much-needed three points.

"The lads put a really good shift in and it paid off. Stevenage were not that good and only seemed to have one long ball that caused us a few problems, but we dealt with it well and managed to play some good stuff to get the win."