Uncompromising defender Mark Sertori goes back to his old hunting ground tonight determined to help York City get back on the winning track.

The Minstermen travel to Halifax Town without yet having enjoyed an away victory this season, but face a side entrenched at the bottom of Division Three with just one win and seven points from 14 games.

Sertori returns not only to the Shay but also to the City squad, having endured a three-match suspension following his red card against Hartlepool last month.

However, whether the 33-year-old Mancunian would go straight back in the starting line-up was another matter, as boss Terry Dolan was keeping tight-lipped as to his selection.

Martin Reed started his first game of the season alongside the in-form Matt Hocking at the centre of defence against high-riding Leyton Orient on Saturday, and both did okay in the 1-1 draw.

Sertori, though, was on his toes and said he was ready should he get the nod. "The gaffer has told everybody in the squad to be prepared for the game and we'll need to be," he said.

As for his time at Halifax, he said: "I enjoyed the year there but things happened at the club which has seen a lot of players go away. Certain people came in and a lot of players were shown the door.

Sertori said: "From all accounts they're not playing too badly, but without having the rub of the green. However, apart from the Leyton Orient match, we've not been having the rub of the green either,"

"We could have won two or three games which we haven't done, and with those nine points or so we could have been right up there. But when you're in the position we're in, everybody gets anxious and sometimes you can try too hard.

Dolan, however, has been hit with new injury problems as midfielder Christian Fox - who has had little luck with injuries this term - has returned to the treatment table.

Fox, a half-time substitute on Saturday, is replaced in the squad by Scott Jordan, who, along with the addition of Sertori, is the only change to the 16 who were on duty on Saturday. Fellow midfielder Lee Bullock is set to start despite coming off against Orient suffering cramp in his calves.