Transfer-listed duo still in the frame at City (From York Press)

Michael Potts and Liam Henderson still in the frame at York City

10:27am Thursday 9th August 2012 in Sport By Dave Flett, Sports reporter

TRANSFER-LISTED pair Michael Potts and Liam Henderson could still be given an opportunity to break into York City’s first team.

Despite still having a year to run on their current contracts, Potts and Henderson have been told they can leave the club if they are able to find alternative employers.

Both players, however, featured during the second half of City’s 3-0 final pre-season friendly win over Sunderland reserves on Tuesday night and Mills has insisted neither will be frozen out at Bootham Crescent.

He said: “There’s no change in their situation but they will not be treated any differently to anybody else at the club.

“They might have to play at some stage over the next couple of weeks and, if I want them to give me everything, they must be treated with respect unless they stop working hard and being professional.

“They are part and parcel of my squad and they might be here for another week, another two weeks or play major roles for the rest of the season.”

Mills, meanwhile, has heralded Michael Coulson’s dead-ball ability following his opening goal against Sunderland.

The Minstermen now have a growing band of free-kick specialists with Coulson bolstering a roster already comprising Paddy McLaughlin, Ashley Chambers and Jason Walker .

Added Mills: “When we get free-kicks around the area, I’m always confident we have a chance of scoring a goal and Michael Coulson’s on Tuesday was a great one.”

As further evidence of the squad’s free-kick potency, Walker also hit a post from a set-piece on Tuesday.And despite the former Barrow striker only netting in one of the Minstermen’s nine pre-season games (claiming a hat-trick against Harrogate Railway), Mills was pleased with his striker’s display against Sunderland four days before the start of the new season.

The City manager said: “It was the best Jason has played for a while. He worked hard, linked up play and won a lot of headers.

“As much as he likes to score himself, his performance allowed people like Michael Coulson and Ashley Chambers to get those goals and that’s important in the way we play.”

Dan Parslow also emerged as a contender for a right-back spot against Doncaster, having impressed in that role on Tuesday.

With Lanre Oyebanjo currently sidelined, Parslow could now compete for that role with Jon Challinor.

Mills said: “Jon has played the majority of games in pre-season and I need another right-back if Lanre is not going to be available for a couple of weeks.

“I know Pars will never let me down and his defending was superb against Sunderland.”