NEW York City signing Kyle McFarlane is pleased to be coming into a team on the up - and invigorated by the challenge of proving himself.

The 22-year-old centre-forward has moved to Bootham Crescent after most recently being on the books at Birmingham City.

His next test will now be to challenge for a place at the spearhead of a team whose main strike partnership of Jordan Burrow and Alex Kempster have contributed 11 goals between them to help the Minstermen to the top of the National League North.

"If anything," McFarlane said. "It's a challenge to not only replicate what they're doing but also show I can match what they're doing as well.

"They've been brilliant during this run and if I can help them and the team, that's the biggest thing."

He added: "Coming into a team that's doing really well is a big bonus for me.

"It certainly helps coming into a good atmosphere.

"I knew there was interest (in him), I spoke to the gaffer a couple of times and finally got it done.

"For me, it's a new challenge, a new start, and if you do well here, who knows where the next step is? Especially at a team which is doing really well at the moment."

McFarlane - who describes himself as a quick player who likes playing off the shoulder - made a near-immediate impact as a City player when he netted as a second-half substitute in the 2-0 win at Irlam in the FA Cup and secure safe passage to the third qualifying round.

"That's the biggest thing," he commented. "Making an impression straight away. It was the best start for me possible - it was really, really pleasing.

"I've had a long summer so to come on and score was a nice confidence-builder. Hopefully I can build to more moments like that starting this weekend."

And tomorrow, with York travelling to Step 3 outfit Buxton for this Cup tie and boss Steve Watson having hinted at making changes, he could be in the picture to make the field again.

"It would be nice," he said of the prospect. "Obviously there's nothing better than playing. The biggest thing for me, whether I start or come on as a sub, is to make an impact as quick as possible and score as many goals as I can."

On the FA Cup, he added: "It's probably the biggest competition - everyone looks forward to it and any player enjoys playing in the FA Cup and a Cup atmosphere.

"You take it one step as a time but as it gets closer, you tend to recognise the potential big ties coming forward.

"Right now, we're one of the clubs everyone's looking to beat but if we get through these rounds then who knows who we could come up against?"

There was interest in bringing McFarlane to York last season but it was put on hold when he picked up a knee injury in training the night before he was meant to come up.

"I was delighted to get it over the line," he said of the deal.

"It's a brilliant club and I'm thoroughly enjoying my time at the moment, enjoying training and enjoying being around the boys.

"People from Birmingham sold me the club, said it's a lovely place to be around, there's lovely scenery.

"They said it's a big club, that was the biggest thing. The fans are brilliant, probably the biggest crowd I'll probably ever have played in front of, so for me, it was pretty much a no-brainer."