NEW central-midfield quartet Neil Barrett, Andy Ferrell, Alex Lawless and Levi Mackin could all line up in the same York City side next season.

Ferrell and Mackin, signed from Kidderminster and Wrexham respectively this summer, combined together in City’s engine room for the first half of Sunday’s 3-3 friendly draw against Leeds United.

Former Ebbsfleet player Barrett then partnered Alex Lawless, recruited from Forest Green, in the middle of the park for the second period, leading to speculation as to who would become manager Martin Foyle’s first-choice pairing come the start of the season at Oxford on August 8.

Foyle, though, insisted the four players do not face a fight for just two places in the Minstermen’s first XI despite the presence of wingers Adam Smith and Craig Nelthorpe in the squad.

He also stressed that Lawless, who scored City’s second goal against Leeds, will provide full-back competition or cover for Ben Purkiss. About his midfield options, Foyle said: “I think everybody at the Leeds game will have seen that we have signed some very good footballers in there.

“Even though we have got two wingers, all four of them could line up together across the park if we wanted to and Alex Lawless can also play at right-back.

“We have a lot of options as long as everybody stays fit, which we need as we’ve got a senior squad of 18 at the moment and we are only looking to add another one or two.

“That’s why I get worried by pre-season games and injuries.”

The City chief also expressed his pleasure at seeing right-winger Smith in fine form and back on the scoresheet at the weekend after he only played a peripheral role during the second half of last season due to health concerns over his new-born baby.

Foyle added: “Adam knew he needed a good pre-season. He’s still got lots to learn, but he works very hard and his goal against Leeds was fantastic.

“He tried the same kind of thing a few times last season and he’s certainly got that in his locker. If Adam can chip in with seven goals-plus for us, that would be a great help.”

City’s home match with Chester City has been brought forward to Tuesday, November 10.

The game had originally been scheduled for February 23 but the Minstermen sought a switch to avoid having three home games in a week following the decision to move the Bootham Crescent clash with Luton to February 20.

City’s trip to Gateshead has been brought forward to Tuesday, August 25. The switch has been made to avoid a clash with the Aviva British Athletics Grand Prix on Monday, August 31.