YORK City manager Sam Collins and veteran striker Jon Parkin have resolved their differences during a clear-the-air meeting.

Following last weekend’s 2-0 defeat at Boston United, Collins criticised Parkin for being filmed drinking alcohol in the morning at an airport on the way to watch Feyenoord play PSV Eindhoven earlier this month.

But Parkin responded by complaining that “digging him out was uncalled for” after a game that he played no part in and argued that he wouldn’t have indulged himself on the sanctioned trip had he not been given three days off.

The former Stoke striker, who turns 37 at the end of this month, has not been selected for any of City’s last four matchday squads and not started a game since September 1 at Hereford.

He is unlikely to feature at Harrogate Town in the FA Trophy this weekend either due to a long-established knee problem that flares up on 3G pitches.

But Collins, who is a former Hull City team-mate of Parkin’s, has insisted that the pair have now decided to move on from the public spat, with the latter still in contention for a place in future team line-ups.

“We’ve had a good chat and I had my opinion, whilst he had his and now it’s gone, so we move on,” Collins declared. “If Jon feels he now has to prove me wrong and score lots of goals, as he has done throughout his career, then we can benefit from that.

“There are no problems or issues and I never hold grudges against anybody. I’ve fallen out with loads of people over the last 20 years in this game and, after it’s happened, you just have to get on with the football.”

Collins has predicted, meanwhile, that his players will be in for “one hell of a game” at Harrogate, who lie third in the National League table during their first campaign at that level.

He respects the progress that has been made at Wetherby Road in recent times and admits the North Yorkshire rivals present a great model for those, like City, searching for a winning formula in the non-League game.

“I know (Harrogate’s head of youth development and under-21s manager) Paul Thirlwell really well and, between him and (manager) Simon Weaver, they have done a great job, especially over the last couple of years,” Collins said. “They are flying at a higher level than they were operating last season and that’s full credit to them.

“I’ve told our players that they have got one hell of a game on their hands, because Harrogate’s work ethic is fantastic. They play in a certain style that works for them and it gets them results week in, week out.

“Every manager wants reliable players who they know they can trust in terms of what they’ll be getting every game and Simon and Paul have been able to achieve that. They have also strengthened at the right times and improved certain areas.

“If there is a blueprint at this level for how to go about things, then their team are it and I really like them.”

Nevertheless, Collins believes his side should be relishing the opportunity to grab local bragging rights, even if just for the one game.

“I’m looking forward to the match and I can’t wait for it, because I want to get the better of them and I think it’s a great game for our players,” the City boss added. “I don’t think they should be going there with any fear, because these are the types of games that get you going and put some fire in your belly to show how good you are against a good team in a local derby.”

Collins could pick a much-changed line-up, meanwhile, following the insipid Boston loss.

“There are three or four players who deserve the right to play in terms of their consistency levels, attitude and work ethic but, otherwise, it’s a blank sheet of paper,” the former Hartlepool caretaker manager reasoned. “I’ll base picking the rest of the team by judging how well people train and, then, if you’re in the team against Harrogate, it’s a case of making sure you stay in it for the next game.”

The ex-Huddersfield defender also reiterated that he is only interested in players who display a full commitment to the cause, pointing out: “There’s a choice for players here.

“They can either walk out of the gate, see out their contracts, go to the gym and sit in the sauna for the rest of the season or they can be with myself, (assistant-manager) Stuart (Parnaby), (physio) Ian (Gallagher) and the rest of their mates and give it a right good go.

“If players just want to potter along, they’re no good to anyone. We need people who are going to stand up and want to do well.”

Elsewhere, Parkin will be signing copies of his autobiography “Feed the Beast” in two York stores this week.

He will be at Waterstones in Coney Street tonight from 6pm and at WHSmith in Monks Cross from 1pm on Sunday.