FORMER York City full-back Duane Courtney believes he can cope with anything thrown at him down the left flank on his return to Bootham Crescent this weekend.

Courtney will be a member of the Tamworth team hoping to stave off the threat of relegation with three points on Saturday against a City side aiming to maintain their late push for a play-off place.

Despite the difference in the club’s league standings, however, the 26-year-old right-back is not daunted by the prospect of pitting his wits against the likes of Peter Till, Jamie Reed, Ashley Chambers, David McDermott or Chris Carruthers.

Courtney, who joined the Lambs after being shown the door by City during the January transfer window and a brief trial with Cheltenham, believes his experiences playing and training with Saturday’s hosts could prove invaluable.

When asked about City’s left-wing options, the former Kidderminster defender said: “I would not mind playing against any of them.

“I know what I think their strengths and weaknesses are. I’ve also known Peter Till since we played as kids together at Birmingham City and David McDermott from Kidderminster.

“I know how they all play and I’ve told a couple of players what to expect from York. Hopefully, me knowing all about the York lads will work in our favour on Saturday.”

Courtney made only seven appearances for the Minstermen following his arrival from Aggborough last summer.

His last start came in Mills’ first match – a 1-1 home draw with Bath in mid-October.

He was transfer-listed shortly afterwards but Courtney insisted he will not be returning to North Yorkshire with a vendetta.

“I’m looking forward to playing against York,” he told The Press. “For my own reasons, I want to do well at my old team but I don’t bear any grudges and I’m not coming back with a point to prove as such, because I know what I’m capable of and I think the players at York know as well.

“A Football League club like Cheltenham would not have been interested in me after I left York if I couldn’t play in this league.

“I know I can but I did not get that opportunity for whatever reason at York City. That’s down to the manager and what he wanted.”

Tamworth lie just one point above the drop zone while City are three points adrift of the play-off places with a game in hand on fifth-placed Fleetwood.

About the significance of Saturday’s game, Courtney added: “Both teams need the points for different reasons and the lads here will also be playing against their old manager so there’s a lot riding on the game. I wish Gary Mills and York City all the best and would love it if we could both get three points on Saturday because I want to see the club reach the play-offs.

“Anybody can beat anybody in this league though and we have got to be confident and believe we can get a few results in our last four games to stay up.”

Courtney stressed that Mills had not offered an explanation for his freezing out at City but hinted it might have been related to an incident or dispute prior to the former Tamworth manager’s arrival.

He said: “I blame myself a little bit for why things didn’t work out at York. Something went on personally but it’s gone now.

“I thought I would get a fresh start when the new manager came in and I played in the first game but, then, things quickly changed and I don’t know why. I can only put it down to what had gone on previously but, whereas David McDermott got a second chance I didn’t. The manager wanted me out so I needed to get out.”

Despite the manner of his departure, Courtney has a high regard for the job Mills and his players have done to turn City from relegation candidates into play-off contenders, saying: “I’m not surprised at the progress the club have made due to the good players and management they have at their disposal.

“Gary Mills is a good manager and an even better coach in terms of what you can learn from him.

“He’s one of the best I’ve had and I knew he would be a success at York with the players he had and has brought in. It’s just a shame I couldn’t stay around for much longer.”