INJURED York City midfielder Paddy McLaughlin says the atmosphere around the training ground has helped him along his recovery.

The 28-year-old - who is in his second spell with the Minstermen - has been suffering with a posterior cruciate ligament injury as an aftershock from the Hartlepool United pre-season friendly.

Manager Steve Watson reckons today's trip to Darlington might come too soon for McLaughlin - though he is making strides towards full rehabilitation, having taken part in his first full training session on Thursday.

"It's a really good atmosphere and the squad's brilliant," McLaughlin said. "There's some really good characters in there.

"That does make it easier coming into work every morning when you've got faces that you like and people you get on with, a good bit of banter and a good bit of spirit between the lads.

"The fact that we've been winning games as well has all added to making it a good atmosphere to be a part of."

With York having made such a good start to the season - garnering 18 points from the eight games McLaughlin has not been a part of - it was asked how he would get back into the side.

"You're asking the wrong man," he said. "I'll put myself out there, do everything I can on the pitch every day, train hard and when called upon, I'll be ready to take my chance.

"It's a mental barrier as much as anything else," he added. "Putting trust in the knee and twisting and turning as you would do on a matchday.

"I've come through that unscathed and, touch wood, it will all have settled down overnight.

"(The first training session) went well. I had a wee bit of training last week and I was back on the grass on Thursday.

"It's really good to be back amongst it - it feels like a long time.

"It's been a frustrating time to not be able to be out there with the lads but thankfully I'm out of it now.

"I think this is the longest I've been out in 10 years, so it's frustrating in one sense, but if I can limit it to once every 10 years, I'll be doing alright."