NEAL ARDLEY is no closer to bringing in any new faces to his York City squad, with the Minstermen boss pleased with the progress of his current team. 

With only Billy Chadwick arriving in January, York supporters were expecting a few new faces in the New Year but haven't been treated to as many signings as perhaps hoped for with City lingering just three points clear of the Vanarama National League relegation zone.

But with Dan Batty nearing a return from injury, Finlay Barnes re-uniting with the club from his loan spell at Scarborough Athletic and Kai Kennedy impressing Ardley in training as of late, it would take a 'really good player' for City to give the green light on any new arrivals.

“There’s no one really close at the moment," Ardley confirmed.

"They’ve got to be guys that improve us, we’ve got 22 players at the moment who are all pushing and fighting and are trying to get in the team.

"We’ve got four forwards so we feel like we’ve got goals in us, we’re a little bit more sturdy in the back, Dan Batty is edging ever closer, he’s back in full training this week.

"In a couple of weeks he could be pushing to be in and around the squad, so we are better than what we were before, but it would have to be a really good player if we want to push the button."

Barnes made his professional debut for York as a 92nd minute substitute in Saturday's 2-1 defeat to Hartlepool United, with Ardley wary of providing the young winger with the right opportunities as he adjusts to life in the National League.

“I’ve got to try to pick and choose when to get him in, it’s got to give him the confidence to do well.

"Today was a game that I knew would be a scrap, a fight and a battle so I’ve got to pick and choose that.

"He’s got to keep training well and to be fair to young Kai Kennedy, his training levels have been exceptional since his ankle injury so he’s been getting on and looking sharp.

"That’s what I need, I need problems and I need people to push me into picking the team. At the moment, one or two could do with a little bit of a rocket and a kick up the backside, and one or two need to push hard.

“They can have an arm over the shoulder, any chats that I do do won’t be after the game, we’ll look at the data, re-watch the game and educate ourselves before making any comments.

"My priority is getting us all in the same direction, but I’ve said to the boys that they have done great, but with little bits of game management and little bits on anticipation their final third and inside their penalty box would enhance how we can score goals.

"If we get down about this and lose our way, we will quickly go on a bad run."