A DIETING Richard Brodie has forsaken his Sunday treats to regain his match sharpness as quickly as possible.

The York City striker has been placed on a weight-loss programme by the club, having put on the pounds during a spell as a part-time player with Stockport last term.

His new eating regime allows for a little post-match indulgence after a weekend game, but Brodie, who has also missed training sessions due to his pre-season foot injury at Harrogate and the birth of his son Charlie, has so far resisted that temptation and is staying behind for extra fitness drills with assistant-manager Simon Donnelly.

The 29-year-old forward, who was given his longest run-out of the season as a 56th-minute substitute against Boreham Wood on Saturday, said: “I’m on a full diet from the football club and I will be sticking to it.

“I’m allowed a treat on a Sunday, but I haven’t even had that. After training, I’m also doing three sets of six shuttles runs with each one ending with a shot into the goal.

“It’s all worthwhile, but Rome wasn’t built in a day and I’ve got to be patient, as everybody is being patient with me. I felt I made an impact when I came on at the weekend - not a massive one, but the boys said I made a difference.

“I’m nowhere near perfect and probably never will be, but I’m doing all the right things to be the best I can be. I had a blip with the kick I got at Harrogate, because that meant I had ten days in a medical boot when I couldn’t do anything other than swim.

“I also missed two days last week when the baby was being born, but the manager has been brilliant. I know where I stand and he’s not like other managers who keep you in the dark.

“I’m fully aware of my situation, as he is. I’ve lost a bit of weight and I’ve got a bit more to lose, but I believe I will be a massive influence on the team over the season.

“I’m getting sharper every day and, hopefully, in two or three weeks, I will be as fit as a fiddle and raring to go. There should be about 38 games left to play by then, so I’ll be fine and it’s onwards and upwards from now on, in every respect.”

Brodie also admitted the reception he received on his first competitive home match in City colours since leaving for Crawley in 2010, along with the faith placed in him by boss Jackie McNamara and club owner Jason McGill, makes him even more determined to get trimmer.

“The ovation I got against Macclesfield was really special and meant a lot,” he added. “I’m thankful to the chairman and manager for bringing me back.

“I’m doing my utmost to get as sharp as I can and I will get there for the people who have welcomed me back.”

Brodie only had eight hours’ sleep in the three nights before the Boreham Wood game as his partner prepared to give birth, but the 6ft 2in forward claimed: “I felt OK and I think the adrenalin got me through after the excitement and exhaustion of the previous few days I’d had.”

The former England C international went on to confess that he cannot wait until his baby boy visits Bootham Crescent, although he joked that his size might make him more suited to a rugby career, rather than one in football.

“Our supporters will have a laugh, because he weighed in at 9lb 14oz, so he’s a big boy like his dad.” Brodie smiled. “Some people have asked whether he’ll be a target man, but I reckon you’ll probably find him in a scrum!

“But it was an amazing moment. I couldn’t stop crying for 20 minutes afterwards and he will be a York City fan - 100 per cent.

“I will be very proud when he’s able to come and watch a game. When I came on for Saturday’s match, the whole squad had also got me a gift and a card, which shows what a good group of players we’ve got.

“I’ve not seen that before at other clubs and this is a great place to be around.”

Brodie’s own birthplace Gateshead is City’s next destination tonight, with the ex-Newcastle Benfield marksman relishing a return to his home town.

“I’d love to be involved and it will be nice to see my family, because I’ve not seen my mam since she became a grandma,” he pointed out.

Having been part of two National League play-off campaigns with the Minstermen and won the title at Crawley and Fleetwood, Brodie also reckons this season could be the most unpredictable he has experienced yet at this level.

“I think it’s the most open league there has ever been,” he ventured. “People thought Forest Green would run away with it, but Tranmere are looking the team to beat at the moment.

“Gateshead have also shelled out a lot of money and they are very strong having made a couple of shrewd signings from Wrexham. We’ll need to adapt to the surroundings as well, because our fans will probably be making all the noise, rather than the home supporters.”

Brodie is looking for an instant reaction, meanwhile, to the frustration of conceding a last-minute equaliser to Boreham Wood after Simon Heslop had opened the scoring just two minutes earlier.

“I’m not sure we did enough to win but, when you score that late, you think you’ve nicked it,” he explained. “I thought our goal typified the spirit we have got, because we dug in and did all the right things, so it was very disappointing when they scored, but it could prove a good point come the end of the season.”