York test will show how far Poppies have come

The Poppies missed the chance to maintain their good form since Cox’s arrival after last weekend’s home game with Hereford was called off just 80 minutes before kick-off.

On the same afternoon, York suffered a 1-0 defeat at title rivals and leaders King’s Lynn Town, who moved four points clear at the top of the Vanarama National League North.

But the Minstermen have been in the upper reaches all season and Cox knows his players will have their work cut out when they head to Bootham Crescent.

Nonetheless, the Poppies boss expects his team, who drew 0-0 with York at Latimer Park last month, to approach the game in their normal manner.

“As I look at it, there are only two teams who can realistically win the title. It’s between York and King’s Lynn,” Cox, whose team take on Altrincham at home next Tuesday night, said.

“You have got to admire how both of them have done this season.

“Both teams have good players all the way through and, as far as York are concerned, they were a Football League club three or four years ago.

“We are under no illusions of how tough a task it will be but the one thing about our players is that they have always acquitted themselves well and they did so in the home game against York.

“We have approached every game with a positive mentality and we have tried to impose ourselves on every opponent, no matter where we have gone.

“There are no easy games but, at this moment in time, they don’t come any harder than York or King’s Lynn away.

“For us, it will be another good test to see how far we have come.”

The Poppies will be without suspended duo Connor Kennedy and Michael Richens this weekend but Cox believes midfielder Lindon Meikle is closing in on a return from a knee injury.

“I don’t think Lindon was ready for last Saturday but we will assess him this week,” the Poppies boss added.

“There has been positivity all the way through in the training sessions he has completed so it will be good to have him back.

“It’s one of those injuries that you don’t want to rush and then be setback a couple of weeks.

“I am sure he is champing at the bit but we have to be professional with it and monitor it this week.

“And if it’s not this weekend then I am sure he will be very close for Tuesday or next Saturday."