YORK City boss Jackie McNamara believes summer signing Jack Higgins will give his team a greater aerial presence in both boxes.

Higgins, who stands 6ft 3in tall, netted 13 times from centre back last season as National League North part-timers Stalybridge Celtic's leading marksman.

The Press Player of the Year Dave Winfield, meanwhile, was City's highest-scoring defender but only hit the target twice in 40 outings.

Balls delivered into the box from corners, free kicks and throw-ins, meanwhile, have accounted for 14 of the goals conceded during McNamara's 32-game tenure, while the Minstermen only managed three in reply from such set-piece situations during the same period.

The City chief wants to turn those statistics on their head during 2016/17 and reckons Higgins can play a significant part in that transformation, saying: "Jack has a real hunger to succeed and was top scorer at Stalybridge last season with 13 goals.

"I want players going up for set-pieces who will put their head in and go for the ball and he will give us strength in both boxes, as well as an ability to organise those around him.

"He's played in all the leagues leading up to this one and has captained and been the Player of the Year at nearly all of the clubs he's been at.

"That shows leadership qualities and he is a good talker. He's packing in his job as a PE teacher to come into full-time football and he's intelligent, as well as being highly-motivated.

"He will turn 25 in July and I think he's perfect for us because he has everything we are looking for in players."

Higgins was released by Rushden & Diamonds prior to cutting his part-time teeth with Clitheroe and Ashton United.

He went on to join Stalybridge last summer and, should out-of-contract vice-captain Winfield agree terms for next season, McNamara reckons the seasoned 28-year-old, who has just under 300 professional appearances to his name, will complement the new arrival.

"I think they would make a good pairing," the City boss reasoned. "Jack can play on the left side and is mobile and fit for a semi-professional player because he's always got up at 6am to do his strengthening and conditioning work."