'Getting closer' - Adam Crookes to provide welcome City headache to Adam Hinshelwood

ADAM CROOKES is now adding competition for places in the York City squad, which is a welcome headache for manager Adam Hinshelwood.

After suffering an injury in pre-season, Crookes would gain his first competitive action for York in Saturday Emirates FA Cup 3-2 defeat to Wycombe Wanderers, managing 25 minutes of game time.

Crookes made 21 appearances for City last campaign and with Hinshelwood reinforcing his defensive backline in the Summer, the left-sided defender is a welcome addition back into the squad, adding a level of balance that his manager has been seeking.

“It’s what we want, we want two players for each position, that’s sort of the manager’s dream,” Hinshelwood explained.

“With Crookesy back, it puts a bit of pressure on one or two and that’s what we want, we want the standards to go up and Crookesy is a really good player.

“He showed that towards the end of last season at left centre-back, he’s got that left foot and when we like to have a lot of the ball, he helps with that a lot on the left side.

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“It’s about balance, he’s a player that we really like and we’re delighted to have him back, he just needs a run of games now.

“It puts a bit of pressure on the players performing, not just on a matchday but in training as well, and that’s the kind of pressure that you have to be able to deal with as a player.

“Now they know that they perform in training for a matchday to warrant a start, and I think that is all good.

“It can add a competitive edge that any successful team must have.”

Hinshelwood confirmed that Crookes had come through the Wycombe game with no reaction from his previous injury, as well as playing an hour in a behind-closed-doors friendly with Bradford City in midweek.

Crookes has therefore neared the end of his recovery process, and is close to a potential first start of the season.

The boss added: “No reaction, he’s one that we were keen to get some minutes.

“He featured for us and got about an hour, so he’s had 20 to 30 minutes against Wycombe and now an hour, so he’s definitely upped his rehab and is getting closer for a first introduction, definitely.”