MATT Fry is happy to play in a back three for York City despite admitting he is a novice in the system.

The 25-year-old centre back, recruited from National League play-off semi-finalists Braintree over the summer, is expected to fill the left-sided slot in a three-man defence during this lunchtime's 12.15pm season curtain raiser at Maidstone.

It is not a role Fry was particularly familiar with, prior to operating there for the Minstermen during pre-season, but the ex-Charlton and Bradford defender is ready for the change.

He said: "When I came here and spoke to the gaffer about the different systems he wants to play, I told him I've not played in a back three much, but I've spent a lot of time playing at left back so, being on that side in a three, suits me as I can defend in wide areas.

"It's not something I'm afraid of and it's something I would look forward to, because you can get on the ball a bit more. Last season at Braintree, in a solid four, it was more about clearing your lines, but the gaffer here wants us to play through the thirds, which is quite exciting."

Having got off to a spluttering start at Braintree last term, with just one point taken from a possible nine, Fry is hoping to kick off this campaign in finer fettle but cites the Essex part-timers' subsequent season as reason to stay calm if City do not get the result they desire in Kent this afternoon.

"I've read a few things from fans on certain social media sites and a lot of people are saying we must win," he ventured. "Whilst I appreciate they didn't get what they deserved last season and we will be looking to show them we have pride in the shirt, as I think we already have, we lost our first two at Braintree and drew our third before finishing third in the table and were really unlucky not to reach the play-off final.

"We obviously want to get off to a good start and win the game, but it's not the end of the world if we don't. I think the important thing is to give a good account of ourselves during the first ten matches and make sure we're in touching distance of that top five, without getting carried away if we're not in the top two then."

City's opening match on the Gallagher Stadium's 4G artificial pitch will also make no difference to Fry's defensive approach - even if it does mean finishing the match with bloody knees.

"As a whole-hearted defender, I like to throw myself about and I will probably be sticking to the bed sheets tonight," he smiled. "That will only be worthwhile if we've taken three points and my desire to not concede goals will be just the same on a 4G pitch.

"We also know the ball will move along the pitch well, which might help in terms of our passing."

Longfield-born Fry is not anticipating a comfortable welcome back to non-League football for City, though, due to his local knowledge of the opposition.

"Maidstone is only 15 minutes from my front door at home and I know their player-coach Jamie Coyle and manager Jay Saunders well, along with some of the other lads," he revealed. "They will want to pass the ball but, more than anything, I know they will work hard, because they must have done that to bounce up two divisions in as many years.

It will be tough like every match in this league and we will have to be on your A game in all 46 fixtures."

Fry, meanwhile, has been named joint vice-captain with fellow defender Jack Higgins after manager Jackie McNamara plumped for Simon Helsop as the club's new skipper.