Following on from two wins out of two under new management, York City will look to make it three and end the year on a high, hosting Gateshead on Boxing Day.
With newly-appointed manager David Webb beginning to reach the end of his recovery programme, it is set to be his first match on the touchline on Monday, having been prevented the chance to do that previously due to illness.
York-born assistant-manager Michael Morton will count his short stint in charge as a successful one, after ending a win drought for the Minstermen, and boasting a 100% record. As Webb continues to finish his recovery, Morton provided an update: "He is going to be leading the game, I've been touching base with him all week in terms of what we are doing in training and for the game.
"He's going to head up on Boxing Day morning, but we're going to be putting everything in place for him to lead his first game."
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Festive double-header
The usual National League fixture schedule sees York face the Tynesiders twice in the space of eight days.
This will in fact be the first time the Minstermen have been able to play their Christmas/New Year double header in front of fans in three years, due to coronavirus and frozen pitches in previous years.
"Double-headers are so hard, because you are just preparing for each other for two games. Ultimately, for me, it's about going to get the win on the first one, and then how do we adjust for the second one.
"They are always tricky games, but that's what we've been handed, and we've just got to get on with it.
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On Gateshead
After winning the National League North title last season, the Heed haven't had the effect they wanted to start the current campaign.
Sitting 23rd in the National League, and with just two wins in their last thirteen league games, the struggle is huge.
"They're a really good footballing side - when you watch them, they like to get control of possession, like to control through their thirds, and try create as many chances as they can.
"Looking at them last year, they were probably one of the best sides I'd seen. I think, for them, they're just trying to get that balance - they've lost their two forwards as well, so we know it's going to be difficult, but I think for us, we should be imposing ourself, we should be dominating the ball, we should be getting in their faces and making it hard for them with a good crowd here."
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Team News
Olly Dyson will face suspension against Gateshead, with Fraser Kerr having completed his one-game ban in midweek.
"Olly is out, and then the rest that have been injured all week will be missing for Boxing Day. The only one we have got to keep an eye on is Fraser, because he's been struggling with flu.
"We're hoping that (Maziar Kouhyar) will be back at the end of January, and then hopefully we can try and get him some minutes in maybe an U21's game."
Pacey winger Nathan Thomas has impressed recently, grabbing a couple of goals and assists in his last two games. With his contract set to run out in January, Morton revealed: "The gaffer has spoke to him, I know the chairman has spoke to him, so I think they're just trying to tie something up and see what that looks like moving forward."
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Ownership tension
It's not been a quiet few weeks for York City, with majority shareholder and chairman Glen Henderson offering his 51% stake back to the Supporters' Trust last Thursday.
That was then followed by a comment by Henderson earlier this week, stating he had rescinded his offer, an action which the Trust believe he cannot take.
City assistant Morton admitted he doesn't take notice of the off-the-pitch situation: "I don't get involved with all that. I literally just want to keep the players focused, and we'll just keep doing what we're doing on the pitch.
"Myself and the players have been around these situations before, and we've not had any chat about it. It was just - get there, do the right training stuff, and make sure we're ready for Boxing Day."
