YORK City goalkeeper coach Simon Miotto believes Michael Ingham is the Blue Square Premier’s top man between the sticks.

Ingham, man of the match in a 1-0 win at Kidderminster last night, has kept 20 clean sheets this season and Miotto, who has now worked with the former Northern Ireland international for six weeks, believes he is the best he has seen in non-League football.

As a registered player, the 40-year-old Aussie is in competition for Ingham’s place, along with ex-Liverpool apprentice Josh Mimms.

But, while admitting he would relish an opportunity between the first-team sticks, Miotto believes the club’s goalkeeping position is in safe hands, saying: “Michael is a very talented guy who I knew about before I came to the club, but he’s had the run of games now that he wanted in somebody’s team.

“I think he’s the best ’keeper in the Blue Square Premier and he’s playing exceptionally well so he just needs to maintain his sharpness and form. Goalkeepers mature later in life, as I did, and Michael still has the potential to become a better ’keeper at 29 because he has everything, including a big frame, and I want to help him improve. I would be ready to play if called upon but, hand on heart, nobody wants anything to happen to Michael.

“We need him to keep playing exceptionally well and get the club promoted back to the Football League. My job is to push him on and to ensure Josh also keeps me out of the picture. The gaffer needs to know he has me as an option but my priorities lie with those two boys even though I’ve still got a real hunger to be involved in the game at 40.

“Being a registered footballer is of great importance to me, but I have a really strong perspective of my role at the club. I have to take care of number one and two and then honour my end of the bargain by keeping my fitness levels up to scratch and make sure I’m ready mentally and physically, taking my kit to every match just in case.”

Mimms has played just one first-team game this season – the 1-0 FA Trophy replay victory over Newport – and Miotto admitted he sympathises with the 20-year-old rookie, whose activity has also been limited by the lack of regular reserve fixtures in 2009/10.

The City coach added: Michael’s a stand-out player at the club and that’s hard for Josh, who needs lots of attention and extra work to keep him motivated because he’s not playing games and he must be ready if he’s needed.

“I really think he can make it in the game though. He’s young, athletic, ambitious and hungry.”

Miotto has also been impressed with the Bootham Crescent managerial team of Foyle and Andy Porter and is hoping to impress them enough to extend his stay beyond this summer, saying: “The gaffer’s a workaholic and an intelligent manager whose players want to play for him.

“Both he and Andy Porter want to win and are completely committed to bringing success here.

“It makes me want to work for them and play for them. They have welcomed me as a new member of staff even though they had never played with me before. I love it here and just want them to be happy with the job I’m doing.”