YORK City boss Russ Wilcox is hoping his players can continue their fine form against fellow Sky Bet League Two strugglers when fifth-bottom Dagenham & Redbridge visit Bootham Crescent on Saturday.

Since Wilcox took over from Nigel Worthington in October, City have taken 13 points from a possible 15 during contests with teams currently occupying the division's lowest nine positions.

Carlisle (3-0), Accrington (1-0), Hartlepool (3-1) and Cheltenham (1-0) have all been defeated during that time, while 23rd-placed Mansfield managed a 1-1 draw.

City are still searching for a first win in 2015 following a difficult January in which they were pitted against five top-ten teams but, with his team set to host a Dagenham team just two points above them in the standings, Wilcox knows the importance of another positive result against a relegation rival.

"The table doesn't lie," he pointed out. "We're at the wrong end of it and know we're in trouble.

"It's an 18-game season now and Dagenham are in amongst it with us, so it's a six-pointer and we won't hide away from that.

"It's a very important game and everybody has got to pull in the same direction. They are in form and have only lost one of their last six games and will be in good spirits after their win against Cheltenham last weekend but our results have been good against the teams around us.

"We got two good victories against Hartlepool and Carlisle so, hopefully, we can do that again."

On-loan Bournemouth centre-back Stephane Zubar is available again after serving a four-match suspension following his second red card of the season against Plymouth on January 3 with Wilcox admitting he has a selection headache due to the displays of John McCombe in the Guadeloupe international's absence.

"It gives me a big decision and food for thought because John has played well, particularly during the last two games, as has the team," the City chief reasoned.

Wilcox also suggested it is unlikely that he will accommodate both McCombe and Zubar by playing three centre backs.

"That's something we have looked at, particularly earlier in the season, when we did quite a bit of work on it," the Minstermen boss said. "We've not looked at it in a match though and I've got to make sure I don't tinker too much because, even though results haven't been too good recently, the performances have been and I don't feel we need to make three or four changes."

City have a fully-fit squad to choose from, although substitute goalkeeper Michael Ingham missed trainin due to illness today.