JAKE Wright believes his loan spell with Boston United helped him regain some of the self-belief he had lost at York City.

The 22-year-old forward was recalled to the Minstermen’s starting line-up for Saturday’s 1-0 win over Southport in the first game since a month stint with the Pilgrims.

Wright was named in the first XI for all four Boston games that he was eligible for and scored twice in the process.

The ex-Harrogate striker’s longest run of consecutive starts for City, meanwhile, only stands at five following his arrival at last summer.

He has also been dropped seven times and admitted his temporary move provided him with a morale boost that he hopes will now benefit the club he is contracted to until the end of next season.

Recalling the circumstances behind his switch, Wright said: “Micky (Cummins) pulled me aside after training one day and put it to me. We then both made the decision that it would be beneficial for me to get some games and get my confidence back.

“Boston had come in for me a couple of times this season for a loan, as they also did last summer before I signed here and, having a manager believe in you, always gives you a bit of confidence. Hopefully, I repaid that faith with my performances there and I feel the loan did benefit me massively.

“There’s been a lot of chopping and changing this season here, but I went there and played up front for four games and started every one, which was really good.

“It would have been nice to get more goals, but I got two in four so, hopefully, I can take all that into a York City shirt now.”

Wright was restored into an unfamiliar role by City boss Steve Watson last weekend and confessed that he was a little anxious about fulfilling the number-10 duties he was assigned with, although felt it could be perceived as another sign of a manager’s faith in his ability.

“I got my confidence back on loan but, I won’t lie, I was a bit nervous in my first game back because it was a bit of a different position for myself, which I needed to get used to and, for the first 15 minutes, the nerves were affecting me,” the former Sheffield United reserved admitted. “But, after that, I felt I grew into the game and it was enjoyable because we got the three points, which was massive.

“I’ve always thought I was a striker, but it’s good to get other positions under your belt and it helps if you’re versatile. I appreciate that the gaffer put his faith in me to play in that position because it’s a big role and, hopefully, if I play there during the next couple of weeks, I can get better and better.”

Despite playing a little deeper than he would be used to as a an orthodox forward, Wright also welcomed a return to the central areas of the pitch, having been asked to play on the flanks in a 4-3-3 formation during so many of his appearances for City.

“I definitely enjoy playing more centrally and I feel a bit isolated out wide,” he declared. “That’s perhaps a mental thing, because I have had some good games out there, but then been quiet in others.

“I do feel, though, that being in the centre of the pitch suits my style of play.”

The Minstermen’s next test will see them visit a Chester side, who have just suffered their heaviest home defeat since 2000, going down 6-0 to Stockport.

Wright is aware that the Blues’ former Salford management team of Anthony Johnson and Bernard Morley are now under intense scrutiny but, whilst he is not expecting the hosts to roll over again, he is confident that maximum points can be brought back to North Yorkshire.

“I’ve heard their managers are under pressure, but the team will want to bounce back after a 6-0 defeat,” he reasoned. “If we go and do what we need to, though, by having a good first half and taking that into the second, we should come away with the points.”

Despite his restricted game time, no City player has collected more yellow cards than the eight brandished to Wright this season.

He was also cautioned twice at Boston, but won’t incur a two-match suspension for reaching ten bookings this term with the cut-off threshold for that number having passed last month.

Wright accepts he needs to work on his disciplinary record, but pointed out too that he has never been dismissed during his career.

“I’ve picked up some silly yellow cards and I know I go to ground a bit and can lose my head, but I try to control that and I’ve never been sent off, so that’s a positive,” he added.