ALEX Kempster has welcomed the opportunity to illustrate his versatility in front of York City’s new boss Steve Watson.

The 23-year-old attacker played the first half of Tuesday night’s 6-1 North Riding Cup win against Redcar Athletic in an advanced central midfield role before switching to a left-wing back position for the second period.

He subsequently earned praise from Watson for a positive performance on his return from a loan spell at National League North rivals Spennymoor.

On his return to the fold, Kempster said: “We should be winning those games, no disrespect to the opposition, but it was a good opportunity for the gaffer to see how the team can play and to look at and work on two different formations.

“I liked both roles I played. The first I’m very familiar with, having played there for my previous club Whitley Bay and I enjoy working the corners and linking up with the strikers.

“I also felt fit enough to play at left-wing back and, whilst it was a bit of a blow-out having not played 90 minutes for a while, I thought I did alright so, hopefully, I’ve given the gaffer a few options.”

Having started the first five games of the season under Martin Gray, Kempster managed just one substitute outing during Sam Collins’ four-and-a-half month tenure and is now aiming to re-establish himself at Bootham Crescent under Watson.

“Now I’m back from Spennymoor, it’s a chance for me to show what I can do and a fresh start to see if I can carry on my form from the start of the season,” the former PE teacher reasoned. “It was very tough when I wasn’t making squads here, but these things happen under certain managers.

“I was quite clearly not in favour but, in that situation, you just need to keep your head down, work hard and, then hopefully, your opportunity comes. I didn’t think I was given a chance under the previous manager but, hopefully, I will be under this one.”

After being farmed out to Spennymoor at the end of November, Kempster made seven substitute outings for the Brewery Field outfit, scoring the equaliser in a 3-1 win at FC United of Manchester during the club’s final fixture of 2018.

That goal represented Kempster’s first of the campaign, having scored two goals in eight outings for the Minstermen last season, including the consolation on his debut in the mid-February 4-1 drubbing at Curzon Ashton after being introduced from the bench following his arrival from Whitley Bay.

Admitting that he was aware his displays for Spennymoor were being monitored by his parent club, Kempster added: “I had a great time at Spennymoor.

“I didn’t get the game time I wanted, but they were a great set of lads and I’d like to thank the club for my loan spell. My goal was a bit flukey, but I’ll take anything and, as soon as I got on the pitch for Spennymoor, I just tried to work my hardest.

“I knew people at York City were keeping an eye on me as well, so did my best at all times.”

Kempster’s first senior game back as a Minsterman this weekend could hardly be a more difficult affair.

Third-placed Stockport have won their last four home matches and are unbeaten in ten contests at their Edgeley Park arena.

The visitors, meanwhile, will journey across the Pennines hoping to avoid an eighth straight loss on the road.

But, with some of City’s best performances on their travels this term having been reserved for trips to higher-division and placed teams like Swindon, Harrogate Town and Kidderminster Harriers, Kempster reasoned that playing at a ground that boasts by far the division’s largest average attendance of 3,454 might get the best out of the visiting players.

“It’s a tough, tough game, because they have hit a bit of form, but we’ve just got to work hard whatever system we play,” Kempster insisted,

“It’s a good ground and they get a few fans and things like that do get you up for the game.

“That shouldn’t be the case compared to other matches, but it helps certain players.

“It’s a big game and we have to get points on board now and push on. Three points would set us up nicely for the next few games.

“We’ll keep targeting promotion until it’s mathematically impossible.

“We’re not that far away and, if we keep working on things, we have the players to do it, but just need to nail down certain formations.”