YORK City boss Gary Mills has suggested the line-up on show for today’s friendly with Notts County may resemble that which will kick off the new season seven days later.

He also reckons a bit of needle - the Magpies are one of his former clubs - should help his team get into the right mindset for the start of competitive league action.

The Bootham Crescent game (3pm) is the Minstermen’s last official friendly before the National League North campaign kicks off next Saturday, although a behind-closed-doors encounter with Bradford City Under-23s has been penned in for Tuesday.

“Now’s the time I feel we’ve got to start looking at the team that’s possibly going to start next Saturday,” said Mills.

“That’s why we’ve just brought another friendly in on Tuesday in case we feel we’re not quite sure, but me and Cas (football consultant Darren Caskey) now know in the back of our minds what and who we want to play come the Telford game.”

Mills, a European Cup winner with Nottingham Forest, had two spells as a player with neighbours County and also managed them in 2004. He expects the League Two outfit to field a strong line-up today.

“They’re looking, a week before they start (their season), to play their strongest side,” he said.

“There’s a little bit there of me playing and managing there and Cas also playing there, so there’s a little thing going on there that we want to beat them.

“I think it’s good to have that attitude even a week before the start of the season.”

Mills says injury worries are easing with only Theo Wharton, who joined the treatment room after the 9-0 midweek win at Oakham, set to sit out today’s encounter, barring the long-term crocks. Wharton is expected back in training next week.