Michael Nelson best watch out – playing alongside Rory McArdle should carry a health warning.

Nelson has formed a solid partnership with him at centre half after stepping in for the injured Andrew Davies.

He kept danger man Calvin Zola on a tight leash in last week’s win over Burton that clinched City’s play-off position.

But the former Norwich and Hartlepool stopper might be advised not to get too comfortable. He is the sixth different player to fill the role at McArdle’s shoulder.

“It’s been a mixed bag,” McArdle admitted. “I do wonder if I might be the jinx but I don’t think the gaffer’s seen the link yet!

“It’s been quite a strange season with the whole back four to be honest but that’s the whole point of having a squad. Everyone has their own strengths and how they like to play.”

Luke Oliver lined up with McArdle at Notts County on the opening day of this marathon campaign. Since then he has been joined by Davies, Carl McHugh, the unlucky John Egan – whose loan was cut short with an horrific broken leg – and Nathan Doyle.

It is an indication of the numerous hurdles that City have had to clear to keep their incredible push for a second Wembley appearance alive.

The fact that their League Two goals against tally of 52 is only bettered by four teams is a credit to those who have been called into the breach. You haven’t seen the join.

McArdle, who leads the squad with 50 starts, certainly has no qualms about teaming up with Nelson.

He said: “Nelse is an experienced guy who has played at a good level – if anything, he’s helping me.

“His talking is great and off the pitch we always speak about the way teams are playing and how we should defend against them. I think he’s come in and done very well.

“Defensively generally it’s been all right. There have been one or two games when we’ve conceded sloppy goals but that’s always going to happen over the course of a long season.

“But it’s important you restrict the number of chances the opposition get. I think we’ve done that during this run and thrown our bodies on the line.”

City have also rediscovered their attacking mojo at just the right moment. With next week’s semi-finals beckoning, McArdle is delighted to see top scorer Nahki Wells back in the groove.

“Nahki looks like a different player to what he was a month or so ago when he was just lacking that bit of confidence. His goals were winning us games early on in the season.

“He’s a young boy but he’s come through that (difficult) spell now and it’s good to see him smiling and laughing again.

“It’s great to be in this position. If you’d said it five weeks ago nobody would have believed it but the run we’ve been on has been fantastic.

“The Exeter game was one that nobody was happy with and Rotherham was a disappointing result. But we’re the form team going into the play-offs.

“Teams who limp over the line don’t generally do very well but there’s no reason for us to be anxious or nervous about anything. You get the sense from all the lads that confidence is higher than ever.”