STEPHANE ZUBAR is relishing the chance to lock horns again with old team-mate Matt Tubbs despite describing him as his most difficult adversary in a York City shirt.

The on-loan Bournemouth striker netted twice as AFC Wimbledon - this afternoon's Sky Bet League Two visitors to Bootham Crescent - knocked the Minstermen out of the FA Cup in a first-round replay last month.

Centre-back Zubar, who has also been farmed out on loan by the Championship Cherries, was pitted against Tubbs that night and is determined to put the shackles on the division's 12-goal, leading marksman this time around.

He said: "Matt scored two goals against us in the last game and he's a good player but he will have to make sure he's ready for this game because I am. He has definitely been my hardest opponent since coming to York and he's good with both feet, as well as his head.

"He scores goals and I was quite surprised to see him at Wimbledon. He's a good signing for them because I think he can play at a higher level, but they are a club that's not far away from his home and that's important when you're 30."

With City having failed to keep the opposition off the scoresheet during Zubar's five outings for the club, the former Guadeloupe international is also hoping to help fellow loanee Alex Cisak claim his first shut-out following his October arrival from Burnley.

The 6ft 2in defender added: "Before every game, we say we want to keep a clean sheet for the goalkeeper because it must be a bit annoying for him. It would also be good for us as a back five."

Zubar has started the last four City games after replacing an injured John McCombe in the original Cup tie against Wimbledon.

With the latter recovering quickly, though, the ex-Plymouth campaigner knows he has to keep impressing as Keith Lowe's central-defensive partner.

"We have good competition with John there as well and the only way I can gain Keith's respect is by doing my best, so he can say I deserve to play," Zubar reasoned. "Keith is a fantastic player and I feel we have been playing really well together from day one."

Zubar's current loan terms expire during next month's transfer window but the ex-Caen reserve revealed that a possible extension to his stay or permanent move have not been discussed as yet.

"I just want to play football and I'm not thinking about what happens in January," he declared. "Anything can happen.

"York is a nice place and my family have been quite happy being here with me for the last four weeks but, so far, I haven't spoke to the manager or Bournemouth about anything, so we will wait and see. I'm just grateful to York City for giving me an opportunity to play and that makes me want to do my very best for the club every day in training and matches."

Despite spending the first four seasons of his career at Caen in France and also enjoying spells in Belgium and Romania, Zubar is certain that, whatever his next move, he wants to stay on these shores.

"England is the place to be and I am happy here," he explained. "I have a nine-month-old daughter and have bought a house in Bournemouth, so I see my life and future as being in this country."

Zubar is also enjoying working under City chief Russ Wilcox for a second time following the latter's 11-month spell as assistant to ex-Bournemouth boss Lee Bradbury.

"He is a fantastic manager who is really close to his players," the 28-year-old enthused. "I really like his training sessions and his communication before games.

"He knows me well and I know what he wants from a defender, which helps a lot."

Zubar is relishing the opportunity, meanwhile, to play regular first-team football, having not started four consecutive games since suffering a serious anterior cruciate knee injury back in February 2013.

"I was out for 13 months and that's really, really hard," he confessed. "While you are injured, you see players in the treatment room for two or three months and they get back playing again, but you are on your own doing your own stuff and you have to stay really strong in your head.

"You either give up or come back stronger, which I think I have done. I've worked really hard to come back and I'm fine now. I'm just thankful it's all over and I can look forward."

The injury scuppered a permanent move to Bury where, during a loan spell, then manager Kevin Blackwell admitted that the Gigg Lane faithful had become "massive Zubar fans".

He will go back to his old club when City travel across the Pennines next weekend and, on that prospect, Zubar said: "I was only at Bury for two months but I am looking forward to going back there and trying to get three points.

"I was going to sign for them and the contract was ready but then I got injured. I couldn't believe it but, sometimes, things happen for a reason and, instead, I am still a Bournemouth player who is on loan at York."