NEW recruit James Brown insists he feels good about his move to York City Knights and he can't wait to pull the blue shirt on.

The 23-year-old former Leeds Rhinos youngster is in strong contention to make his debut for the Knights tomorrow when they visit Swinton Lions, where a win could virtually assure Paul Broadbent's men of a National League Two play-off place.

Brown - who spurned the advances of National League One side Dewsbury Rams to sign for the Knights this week - has been out of the game for a few years but is eager to return to the big time and aid York's promotion push.

"Hopefully, I will be playing tomorrow, it will be good to get that shirt back on again," said the half-back cum full-back, who is in line to don the number one jersey following the departure of loan ranger Jonny Woodcock.

"It might be a case of going straight in at the deep end but that's the best way to do it."

He added: "York have got a great chance of promotion. The only other team that are maybe on a par with them are Sheffield Eagles and if York are on top form on the day they can turn them over.

"If we don't go up this year then we definitely will next year but, with the club itself progressing, there is no reason why we can't go up this season."

Brown, who joined Leeds as a teenager from Sheffield, dropped out of the game during a 'transitional period' at Headingley three years ago, at a time when he had also started a young family. He had been a reserve player with the Rhinos.

"There was quite a weird atmosphere at the club and it put me off playing a bit," he explained. "It's taken me a while to get back. I've been playing football but you realise at the end of the day that time's ticking away and I can play this game. It will be great to get back in the saddle."

He has only been training with the Knights for one week but had been getting up to speed with the Rams for six weeks before that.

"I was due to make my debut for Dewsbury but York came in for me and I signed here," he said.

"I think it's a better set-up and there's more potential here. It's a wonderful club.

"There are a few players at York that I know. I played with Scott Rhodes in Leeds' reserves and Beans (coach Paul Broadbent) was at Sheffield when I was there. It's been easy to fit in and all the lads are great."

Updated: 10:49 Saturday, August 16, 2003