NEWCOMER Jake Normington has admitted being a little in awe of his new team-mates at York City Knights.

Former Hunslet back-rower Normington is set to make his Knights bow in tomorrow's opening pre-season friendly against York & District ARL XIII at Bootham Crescent (7pm).

And, having already lauded the ethos at his new club, his immediate aim is to impress head coach James Ford enough to keep a shirt for when the League One season kicks in February with a humdinger against fallen giants Bradford Bulls.

Asked of his and the team's goals in 2018, the 26-year-old said: "My first real target would be to establish myself in the team at York.

"You come here and you see people like Ben Cockayne, Graeme Horne, Ash Robson. I've never been lucky enough to play Super League but I did play against Ash Robson last season and I remember one of the first things I said when I spoke to James Ford was, 'Who the hell is that number one?'

"Just to be sat around these players is an eye-opener.

"To get established is therefore a target, before coming to the team goals.

"We have spoken about them. We're not going to discuss them in pubic but, after the season York had last time, I don't think you need an Einstein to work out what we're aiming for."

On whether the team was good enough to win promotion this time, he added: "The squad is definitely strong enough to compete at the right end.

"Sport can be a game of chance and it's a case of taking your chances when they come and in between times doing everything you can to get things in your favour."

The Knights' team tomorrow is yet to be confirmed. Normington said: "Everyone who's fit will be in contention.

"After having that little injury (Normington has overcome an ankle injury in pre-season), I want to get some fitness before Bradford Bulls - what a start that is! We can't wait."

On the season opener, he added: "It's going to be brilliant. It's not every day you get to play against a club with such standing in the game.

"It'll be a tough but everyone is chomping at the bit to go for it.

"To be fair, that'd be the case whoever we're playing. We just can't wait to get out there."