ON-LOAN Tottenham striker Shaq Coulthirst is determined to sign off with a goal at Bootham Crescent before he returns to White Hart Lane.

The 20-year-old forward has netted in his farewell home appearances for former loan employers Leyton Orient and Southend - scoring the winning goal for the latter against the Minstermen at Roots Hall in January.

But both of Coulthirst’s goals in nine outings for City so far came away from North Yorkshire during last month’s 4-1 victory at Mansfield and the former England under-19 international is itching to bag one during tomorrow’s home meeting with Newport.

He said: “Hopefully, I can score a goal and the team can win. It would be nice to get one in front of the home fans.

“They’ve been good to me so, to repay them with a goal, would be perfect. I’ve scored two goals for the club and would definitely like to get more in the last two games.”

Coulthirst has also relished playing his part in a successful battle against relegation from the Football League after his two goals in six matches for Torquay proved too late to save the Devon club from the same drop this time last year.

The Spurs attacker reckons desire and confidence has prevented this squad from suffering the same fate, explaining: “You can look at my spell at Torquay from a personal point of view and it was good to get games and goals but, at the time, being relegated wasn’t a great experience.

“I think the difference at York has been the motivation from within the group. If you go down, people’s jobs are at stake and players can drop out of football because it’s hard to get back up from the Conference.

“We had loads of meetings about that and all the lads knew how important it was to stay up, so it’s good to be in the position we are in now. When I came in, everyone was surprisingly positive and in high spirits with a belief they could get out of the situation and I think that was the difference between here and Torquay last season.”

Coulthirst reckons that sixth-bottom City are capable of mounting a promotion challenge next season similar to the one his previous team Southend have enjoyed this term.

The Minstermen have won four and drawn three of the nine games Coulthirst has featured in and the Premier League hopeful added: “If we win the last two games, we could finish in mid-table and that’s how it is in this division.

“There’s not a lot separating most of the teams and, next season, I’m sure this club can be up there trying to get promotion like Southend are now.

“Both clubs have great players and, if we can finish mid-table, people will look at our season differently.”

Having been part of a City side that is bidding for a fourth straight victory at Bootham Crescent, Coulthirst finds it hard to understand the club’s patchy form on their own soil during the rest of the campaign.

“The home record does surprise me because, since I’ve been here, the lads have performed really well and looked good on the training ground,” he reasoned. “The fans have also been great no matter what position we’ve been in.

“We’ve been 1-0 down in games and they have helped us go on and win.”

Wilcox’s biggest selection dilemma is likely to be whether to start Coulthirst in attack or at left-wing back to accommodate fellow loan signing Shaun Miller up front.

On the unexpected new string to his bow, Coulthirst said: “The gaffer has asked me to do a job there and I’m happy to do what he asks.

“It’s no problem at all. I reckon I’m a decent defender but he’s told me not to worry about that too much when I’m playing there because he wants me to concentrate on attacking.”

Coulthirst added: “When you are safe, teams can go off the boil but, with other clubs having something to play for, it gets you up for games,” he said. “Newport are looking to get into the play-offs, so it should be a tough game.

“Portsmouth are also a big club in this league, but I reckon we can win both games with the form we are in.”

Coulthirst has experience of playing against Newport this season, coming on as a substitute for Southend during a 1-0 away defeat in October.

On the threat the Welsh club will pose, he declared: “They’ve got quick forwards, so I reckon it will be a sharp game but we will be looking to start at a high tempo in our last home game.”