If York City deem Ash Palmer surplus to requirements this summer, Halifax will be elbowing their way to the front of the queue for his services.

The centre-back has been outstanding since joining on loan last month, slotting in seamlessly to the heart of the Town defence.

In Palmer's eight games so far, The Shaymen have won four and kept four clean sheets, conceding seven goals.

In Halifax's eight matches before his arrival, they won once, kept one clean sheet and conceded 15 goals.

"It's been good," Palmer told the Courier. "I watched Halifax play at York and, although the scoreline wasn't too great, they were really impressive for 20 minutes.

"When the opportunity came to go and get some games, I jumped at it.

"It was a dream move going to York in the summer in terms of location and the point I'm at in my career and the ambition there.

"I got myself in the team but then unfortunately got injured.

"The team's been doing so well so I found it hard to get back in, so when the chance to go to Halifax came up, it's close to home and it ticked a lot of boxes.

"We've done OK, had some good results and it'd be nice to get two more wins over the line and finish strong."

Palmer's spell at The Shay has come a decade after he could have joined Billy Heath's newly-promoted Town side, having played under him at North Ferriby.

"We have meetings upstairs in one of the rooms (at the training ground) to go through set-pieces and the opposition, and that's where I met Billy, so every time I go up there, it brings that memory back," Palmer said.

Palmer is good friends with Halifax's assistant manager Sam Walker, with the pair playing together at Stockport County.

"We have our personal relationship and when we're in work, it's professional," Palmer said on working under his mate.

"He's doing well with it, he's a really good coach and Adam's really impressed me as well.

"I think he's going to go on and have a really good career in the game.

"Obviously I speak to Sam regularly and he's always spoken highly of him.

"He's got some good ideas, he's young, he's very hungry and wants to succeed."

As well as manager Adam Lakeland, Palmer has been impressed by the squad he joined at Halifax.

"They've been there or thereabouts most of the season, which is credit to the club and the players," he said.

"It's a very young, hungry, energetic group.

"I knew the odd player, I played with Cody (Johnson) and played against Sam (Johnson), Kieron (Morris) and Billy (Waters), but there's some lads I didn't really know much about before signing.

"But they've really impressed me since I've come in.

"The gaffer's said it's a lot of the players' first time at the level but I don't think you can tell that.

"The recruitment he's done and the way the players have played this season, it's credit to the club and hopefully they can kick on.

"A few more additions next season and I can't see why not."

When asked whether he'd be interested in joining Town permanently next season, Palmer said: "I'm contracted to York for the next two years, obviously I don't think it's gone as well as it could have for me there so I'm eager to start afresh next season and try to show them what I'm all about.

"But you never say never in football and you don't know what's around the corner, but I've certainly enjoyed my time here."