NEAL ARDLEY expects new York City addition Alex Hunt to 'bring a lot' to the Minstermen ahead of a potential debut tomorrow afternoon, in the visit to Barnet (3pm). 

Hunt was unveiled as Ardley's latest recruit on a loan deal until the end-of-the-season on Thursday afternoon, making the switch from Grimsby Town in Sky Bet League Two, having made 12 appearances so far this season.

A season-ending injury to Scott Burgess had seen Ardley's side become light in numbers in the central midfield area, with Dan Batty, Alex Woodyard and Paddy McLaughlin being Ardley's favoured options, with the City boss pleased by Hunt's technical prowess.

“Hunty can play as an eight or a ten, he’s similar in stature to Charlie Allen," Ardley explained.

"He’s not huge or tall and looks very young when you see him, but he’s very good with the ball, moves the ball and drives with it.

"We feel he’ll bring that in, he’s trained today so we’ll assess where he is but depending on the shape or the system, he’ll bring a lot to us."

Ardley also discussed Grimsby's current situation in League Two with the Mariners third from bottom, having not yet registering a win in 2024. 

The City boss explained why patience is needed for managers who haven't been able to implement their own systems into club's yet, such as David Artell as Grimsby, with Ardley keen to build on his first season in charge with the Minstermen.

Ardley said: “They’re down the bottom as well and their manager is trying to find the solution to pick up wins and get them away from the bottom.

"There’s a number of things, you’ve got to look at the make-up of your team and think if you can play expansive, can I play this, have I got the players and the athleticism.

"But to build that sometimes you have got to get your team together, I spoke to Paul Cook when we were at Chesterfield and he said that it took him 18 months to two years to get anywhere near how he wanted the team.

"Barnet we’ve got on Saturday, it was 18 months again to get through a few windows and get a few players in and get a few out to get the team how we sat it, and now they’re challenging in the play-offs.

"It doesn’t happen overnight, my job is to get us to the 46th game and stay in this league, try and develop it and go from there."