FINLAY BARNES hopes to keep improving at York City after back-to-back starts in the Vanarama National League. 

After loan spells with both Darlington and Scarborough Athletic in the Vanarama National League North, York manager Neal Ardley opted to recall Barnes from his stint with the Seadogs to compete for a place in the City first-team. 

Following impressive performances in training, Barnes was handed an opportunity in the Minstermen's 1-0 defeat to Dorking Wanderers in midweek, before being selected to start in York's 1-1 draw with Dagenham & Redbridge earlier on today.

Barnes admitted that he was 'really pleased' to pick up recent minutes for City, earning the Press' star man award in today's drab draw with Dagenham and providing a bright spark in a otherwise stale encounter at the LNER Community Stadium.

“I’m really pleased, I’ve been working really hard to get into the team get towards it," Barnes enthused.

"I went on a few loans because I wasn’t playing football, so I went on a few loans to try and improve and get into the team.

"I’m pleased that I have now, it’s about staying in it and getting goals and assists and helping the team to win. 

“Personally it’s been not too bad. I can still improve going forward a little bit with creating chances and trying to score goals, and defensively again I’m still trying to improve.

"I’m trying to improve a lot because I’m quite critical of myself, I just want to improve and keep going. 

“Today we wanted the three points, I think you could see that we were going for it, but we didn’t want to lose the game as well.

"I want to play in every game if I can and it’ll be a really good game to play in with a lot of fans (versus Oldham on Tuesday, February 20) and it will be a big game for us."

Barnes also opened up on his loan spells away from York, making a combined 18 National League North appearances at both Darlington and Scarborough, scoring four goals in the process.

The 23-year-old also explained that he found it difficult after former boss Mikey Morton had left the club, and having to prove his worth to Ardley despite being away from the first-team.

“I did yeah (enjoy his loans). Obviously Darlington was a little bit difficult because we hadn’t won in too many games, Scarborough was really good because I just enjoy playing football, so they both were good.

“It was difficult because I was already out on loan so I was already playing there, so it was more that the other players were first really.

"The guys are training and everything and I’m already out on loan, but I think that everything happens for a reason and I was out on loan and trying to improve, but I’m back now.

“He (Ardley) helps you to push hard and you know what the manager wants you to do, he’s quite clear in what he wants you to do. 

“I didn’t feel like it was a big step personally, I felt like I could do it.

"It is different, the stadiums are different and the teams are a little bit better but from where I was before I had played against National League teams.

"I felt like I could play there so it wasn’t too much of a big thing for me."

Barnes' integration back into the squad was also helped by the arrival of Will Davies from Braintree Town, as the pair had previously played together at Leiston.

“I was friends with Will from before while at Leiston, so it was good when he joined.

"I’ve still not really played with each other too much on the pitch yet, so it’ll be good when we get more of a chance to play with each other."