JOE PORTER admits he has been "chucked in the deep end" at York City Knights but is relishing the chance to win a pro contract at his hometown club.

Amateur ace Porter, York Acorn's reigning player of the year, made a quick Knights bow in their opening friendly of 2017 away to Featherstone last Sunday, less than a week after joining up with James Ford's men to begin a month's trial.

He could well feature again next Sunday too, when the Knights - now back in at Bootham Crescent - entertain another top-end Championship club, London Broncos, in the first of their two home pre-season fixtures.

"I appreciate the chance to take a step up and it's great I get that chance at York," said the 23-year-old.

"It makes it easier not having to rush around travelling and it'd be great to play for my hometown team.

"I'll be chucked in the deep end a little bit and it will be a big challenge to prove what I'm capable of, but I'm looking forward to it.

"I've really enjoyed it so far. All the lads have welcomed me in and helped to get me in the right place."

Head coach Ford has previously stated he would not take players out of the city's amateur clubs unless they were "going to play a big part for us".

Porter knows, therefore, that he must prove himself to be more than a potential bit-part player for the Knights during these next few weeks.

"I'm keen to get a contract," he said. "I want to be playing every week and I'll be doing as much as I can.

"I think it will be a big step up for me but I think I'm ready for it and ready to give my best shot and see how far I can go with it."

Porter, a former York High School student, only took up rugby league aged 16, having previously been a junior footballer with Hamilton Panthers - "playing anywhere from goalkeeper to striker".

He soon progressed to Acorn's first team and has played 96 times for them in the top two divisions of the National Conference since that league went to a summer season in 2012. He has been named man of the match 21 times.

"I've got a lot of friends there," he said of the Thanet Road club. "All the lads at Acorn are great and they've helped me out loads over the years and helped me improve.

"Scott Rhodes (former coach) and Leigh Rents (head coach Leigh Paul-Rientoul) have been great - I've learnt a lot from them.

"I was more a footballer but a few friends got me down training and I enjoyed it. I did both for a while but had to pick one and I went with the rugby, and I'm glad I did."