FORWARD-looking prop Steve Hill believes York Wasps are going places - and he can't wait to pull on the shirt again and help to take them there.

The 25-year-old re-signed for his hometown club this week from Sheffield Eagles, 17 months after heading in the opposite direction.

And after only a few training session with his new team-mates, he is convinced the club can reach the top half of the table and thus ensure a play-off place and a spot in next season's division one.

"Going back to Wasps was like returning home," he told the Evening Press.

"It will be great to run out at Huntington Stadium again. I'm really looking forward to it.

"Training this week went really well. We've got a good nucleus of players, including a lot of youngsters willing to learn.

"If we progress and develop we should have a very competitive side. I think there is a good possibility of us getting up there.

"If everything starts clicking right we can make that top nine definitely."

Wasps have lost the first four games of the Northern Ford Premiership season and have a tough few matches ahead, including tomorrow's visit of Hull Kingston Rovers (kick off 3pm).

But Hill reckons success is not far away. "I want us to compete in every game we play and if we're competing we are going to start winning a few," he said.

"From what I've seen in the last couple of training sessions, the ability is there and the enthusiasm there. It's just a case of it all clicking on the pitch."

Hill still lives only five minutes away from Huntington Stadium and cited that proximity as one of the reasons for returning.

"I played the first few games of the season for Sheffield, but I missed the last game against Featherstone because I had already asked if the club could release me," he explained.

"The reason I wanted releasing is I've got a young family and I need to spend more time with them. I live in York and to move here was the obvious answer."

The former supporters' club player of the year for Wasps believes his game will also improve under coach Leo Epifania.

"He seems to be a very good coach. His knowledge of rugby is very high and his technical knowledge is high, and he puts himself across well to the players.

"He's always there to encourage and he will always try to help players improve, taking players to one side, for example, to give advice."

In return, Epifania has had words of praise for Hill, although he will leave it late before deciding whether the new signing should feature tomorrow.

"I think he will be pretty good," said the Aussie.

"I know that training is not the same as going on the playing paddock and I've seen a lot of players do well in training but not in games, but he looks impressive.

"Obviously he needs to prove to me what he can do on the field, but he has the makings to be one of our best players."

Former Rover Ian Kirke and Rob Lee were among those nursing knocks but are likely to be okay. Full-back Ben Sorbello is a doubt after injuring a hamstring in training.

Epifania added: "I'll leave it late before naming the team. We've got to see exactly how these guys are and I've not yet decided what to do about Steve Hill."

The Robins, meanwhile, have been hit by a 'flu bug which ruled six players out of last week's controversial game against Leigh, in which the floodlights failed after some 50 minutes. The Centurions led 14-2 at the time of the abandonment and claimed the points, but the RFL have ruled the match be replayed.

Full-back Bob Everitt and second row Rob Wilson are definitely out injured, but boss Gary Wilkinson is giving his 'flu-hit players every chance to prove their fitness.

Lynton Stott, Mike Dixon and Craig Murdock are all likely to return, while York-based duo Rich Hayes and Alex Godfrey are both set to start against their former club.

Updated: 13:32 Saturday, January 12, 2002