ON-LOAN Port Vale defender Joe Davis is not concerned by the prospect of playing alongside a third different centre-half in his fourth appearance for York City.

Davis, 25, made his Minstermen debut with Sean Newton at the heart of the visitors’ back line during the 2-1 FA Cup first-round defeat to League Two Swindon Town.

He then formed a central-defensive partnership with fellow loan recruit Kennedy Digie in the next two games – a 0-0 home draw with Chester and last weekend’s 3-0 defeat at Altrincham.

Digie is ruled out for Saturday’s FA Trophy third qualifying tie at his parent club Kidderminster Harriers with Joe Tait, who has now served his three-match suspension, expected to line up next to the adaptable Davis, with the latter saying: “It would be nice to play next to someone on a consistent basis to form a partnership, but suspensions and being ineligible to play in games can affect that and I just focus on my performance more than anything.

“There are a lot of good centre halves at this club with different styles and I’m just getting used to playing with different people.

“I’ve trained with Taity quite a lot and we know each other quite well so I’m looking forward to playing alongside him if that’s the case.”

On joining the Minstermen, Davis admitted he was looking forward to working under City chief Sam Collins, who was Port Vale captain and played in his own position when he was on the club’s books as a schoolboy.

With City having lost five and drawn one of their last six matches, though, Collins was confronted by an angry fan towards the end of last weekend’s loss at Altrincham.

Davis, however, believes the players were more culpable for the below-par display, reasoning: “We all know that we let the manager and the fans down because we’re accountable for performances.

“The manager takes the criticism, but we have to hold our hands up because we were not good enough on the day.

“As soon as we cross that white line, it’s down to us and we’ve got to be better individually and collectively than we were at Altrincham, where there was lots to improve on.”

Describing each of his three outings for City as a mixed bag, Davis added: “It’s been a case of three different games against three different teams.

“Swindon was a tough game against good opposition who could play and pass the ball.

“Then, against Chester, we should have gone on and won the game and the Altrincham defeat was a disappointing performance when the team and myself could have been better.

“I feel I’ve done OK in the games, but there’s still room for improvement.

“I’d not played many games before I came here, so I’ve had to get back into the swing of things and just want to help the club get decent results.”

While Collins is keen for his teams to start attacks from the back, Davis prioritises shut-outs having helped the team keep the opposition off the scoresheet for the first time in nine league contests on his home debut against Chester.

“I try to be a no-nonsense defender and pride myself on being in teams that keep clean sheets by taking no risks,” Davis declared.

“I know the manager wants us to try and play, which I do enjoy doing, but keeping the ball out of the back of the net is the main thing for me.”

Saturday’s game sees Davis experience his second taste of FA Trophy action after he played his part in 2-0 triumphs over Staines and Wrexham during a loan spell at Luton in 2013/14.

He is also aware that his current club have won the tournament twice in 2012 and 2017 and ventured: “It’s an opportunity for us to put things right and we want a good run in the Trophy.

“The club is well-known for doing well in the competition and we’ve got a chance to keep that going.”

Elsewhere, City legend Andy McMillan will be the Supporters Trust’s guest at a Pig Racing night, which will be hosted by the Acomb Conservative Club tomorrow night.

The evening starts at 7pm with admission, including a pie-and-peas supper, costing £5.