YORK City centre-back Matt Fry has praised the transition his good friend Yan Klukowski has made from attacking midfielder to central defender.

Klukowski, 29, had never played at the back as a professional prior to being selected in the middle of a defensive three for the first time at Eastleigh last month.

He has gone on to start in the same position during the five subsequent fixtures, with recognised centre-back Fry, who has been employed to Klukowski’s left, impressed by his surprise defensive partner.

“Me and Yan are close off the pitch as well and both our girlfriends get on well together,” Fry said. “Playing in defence is not something he’s been used to, but it’s something, as an experienced player, that he’s had to develop and he’s done really well for somebody who never tackles or heads the ball!

“In all seriousness, having played in defence for the majority of my career, if I was asked to play further up the pitch, I probably wouldn’t have picked things up as quickly as he has done.”