NEW York City capture Mark Maley is relishing the pressure of Third Division football after swapping the hum-drum for the hurly-burly.

As reported in the Evening Press yesterday, the 20-year-old has joined the Minstermen on a month's loan from Premiership giants Sunderland.

Maley, a former England schoolboys skipper, will go straight into the starting line-up for tomorrow's trip to Lincoln City.

And he admits he cannot wait to pull on a first team shirt after savouring the quiet life of reserve team football with the Black Cats.

"There's a massive difference between first and reserve team football," he reasoned.

"Obviously, there are quality players in the reserve leagues but the pace of the game is different and there is a lot more riding on each game and pressure when you are playing in the actual Football League.

"It is just a great experience and it is much, much better than playing reserve team football. I just can't wait to get started."

Despite an impressive pedigree which saw him have spells with Manchester United, Newcastle, Middlesborough before signing for Sunderland as a youngster, Maley is certainly no stranger to life in the lower leagues.

He had spells on loan at Blackpool and Northampton last season before a bad injury saw him spend much of his time on the sidelines.

"I had a month at Blackpool. It was a good experience and Blackpool went on to get promoted," he explained.

"I went on loan at Northampton and I was in my second game there when I ruptured my thigh. The muscle just snapped altogether.

"I was out for the rest of the season and have just started to come back at the start of this."

Maley admitted the chance to come to Bootham Crescent had come like a bolt out of the blue.

But he insisted he did not hesitate, especially after getting ringing endorsements from on-loan Black Cats striker Michael Proctor and Ricky Sbragia, the former City defender and now coach at Sunderland.

"I jumped at the chance of first team football," he said.

"It all happened a bit quickly. The assistant manager (Adrian Heath) phoned me on Wednesday afternoon and asked if I would like to come down.

"The team are doing quite well and Michael Proctor said they are a great set of lads and he was really enjoying his time here so I came straight down.

"Ricky said I wouldn't get a better set-up in the Third or Second division and it's very impressive."

Maley already has fond memories of City having made his senior debut for Sunderland at the age of 17 against the Minstermen in their Worthington Cup clash of August 1998.

Although Maley can play at either right or left-back, manager Terry Dolan has already made up his mind as to where the 20-year-old will play.

"I think there is a chance he will play at left back," said the City chief.

Although Dolan refused to divulge what effect Maley's addition will have on the remainder of his starting line-up, it seems certain Graham Potter will push into midfield.

Updated: 08:46 Friday, September 28, 2001