York City boss Neil Thompson has challenged his players to produce performances that mean they keep their first team shirts - this week they will do that.

SHINING EXAMPLE: City midfielder Lee Bullock has produced performances which have earned praise from his manager Neil Thompson, and kept him his first team place

Following the Minstermen's impressive performance in taking three points from second in the table Barnet with a 1-0 win at Bootham Crescent last weekend, Thompson is set to retain the same side for the clash with sixth placed Northampton Town at Sixfields Stadium tomorrow.

For once injury has not denied Thompson the luxury of naming an unchanged and the manager has little reason to reshuffle merely for the sake of it.

And the message that good performances earn their reward seems to have struck home with the players, with teenager Lee Bullock perhaps epitomising the approach Thompson wants from his players.

"I have been asking for a level of performances from the players and I have said to the players if you have got a shirt make sure you keep it," said Thompson.

"Lee was terrific against Barnet last weekend. He has great touch on the ball for a big lad, he looks strong and he has got used to the pace of the game at this level and the good thing is he will mature.

"He has lots of quality and, while with youngsters you can sometimes get a lack of consistency, Lee is striving hard to achieve a good standard in his game.

"It is something that Christian Fox has achieved this season and for the past few games Lee has been doing exactly the same."

For Bullock the clash with the Cobblers will be his fifth consecutive start, his longest run in the first team, and in the absence of long term casualties Kevin Hulme and Steve Agnew his form has been a godsend.

Thompson will wait another week before considering Hulme for first team selection, despite the midfielder making a comeback as a substitute in the midweek reserve team win 2-1 at home to Wrexham.

"Kevin had a run for 20 minutes or so and felt a bit stiff afterwards, so hopefully we can give him another run in the reserves next week and see if he will be ready for the game against Rotherham."

Winger Craig Skinner bagged both goals against the Welshmen but the fact that he remains on the bench for a fifth consecutive game again illustrates Thompson's aims are being achieved as to maintaining standards.

"Craig had a good game in the reserves but he will have to be patient and wait for his chance," said Thompson.

"But it does give me options, and the fact that Marc Williams and James Turley also went well against Wrexham means we have people knocking on the door, so those who have a first team shirt will have to play well to keep it.

"But the lads put in a great performance against Barnet and we have to keep those standards against Northampton.

"They are a strong team, they are good from set plays, but we dealt with that last Saturday so we can go out and do it again."

And he expects a big performance from Fox once again, the young midfielder's recent displays continuing to interest the likes of Premiership clubs Newcastle United and Middlesbrough.

"While no one has been in touch with us regarding Chris, it doesn't surprise me that people are showing interest," said Thompson. "We have lots of scouts at every game, quality players are going to get noticed and Chris is one of them."

Town are also set to name an unchanged side from the one that drew 2-2 with Lincoln City.

The only doubt is at right back where Ian Hendon has had a virus and he will be replaced by Ally Gibb if he is ruled unfit, while there is a possibility they may parade a new signing.

The Cobblers were hoping to tie up a loan deal that would bring winger Martin Phillips in from first division Portsmouth.

City and Town are to wear black armbands tomorrow as a mark of respect for Blackpool player Martin Aldridge, Northampton-born and who was playing on loan at Rushden, who was killed in a car crash last weekend.

There will also be a one minute silence before kick-off.

Northampton Town v City

Match PointsIn 18 previous league trips City have recorded two wins and seven draws.

Their two successes were at the old County Ground.

On their first visit in October 1958, Peter Wragg and Colin Addison were the scorers in a 2-1 victory and in a similar scoreline in 1983/4 Keith Walwyn netted both goals.

City have drawn on their last two visits to the Sixfield Stadium.

Rodney Rowe scored in a 1-1 encounter in 1997/8 and last term the game ended 2-2 with Marc Williams and Scott Jordan the marksman.

Their heaviest reverse at Northampton was 5-0 win 1981/2.Players to have represented both clubs include keepers Peter Pickering and Gordon Morritt together with John Mackin, Steve Senior, Graham Carr, David Longhurst and Ray Warburton.

Tomorrow's Teams

York City: Mimms, Reed, Jones, Sertori, Hall, Hocking, Fox, Jordan, Bullock, J. Williams, Conlon.

Subs (from): Howarth, Skinner, Thompson, Turley, Williams

Northhampton: Welch, Hendon or Gibb, Spedding, Sampson, Green, Frain, Hunter, Parrish, Savage, Howard, Corazzin.

Subs (from): O'Riley, Hope, Sturridge, Wilson, Morrow, Hughes, Hunt

Ref: R Styles (Waterlooville)

Kick-off: 3pm

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