BEN COCKAYNE is relishing helping to "bring the younger players through" at York City Knights.

The former Wakefield and Hull KR favourite joined the ambitious League One club this winter and has quickly become one of the leaders in the group.

And as the team build up towards their first outing of pre-season, against the York & District ARL representative XIII next Wednesday night at Bootham Crescent, the 34-year-old winger is keen to instil the kind of commitment into the club's young guns that helped him spend the bulk of his career in the big time.

When asked of the Knights' goals for 2018, he was unwilling to share targets discussed behind closed doors, other than to say they "wanted to do as well as possible", but added: "From a personal point of view I would like to think I can contribute well and that I've got knowledge and experience I can share to help bring the younger players through.

"I want to play every week, and play as well as possible every week and be competitive. That's what has got me through being a professional. I've never been the most skilful and never been a 'superstar', but I've always been committed and given everything, and that won't change."

Cockayne also said that going from the full-time arena to the part-time game would not prove to be a problem.

He is working two days a week still for former club Hull KR on the corporate side of things, and for the rest of the time on his wine business, outside of his York commitments.

"I've still got a desire to play rugby league," he said.

"I have had to adjust to training on an evening but my work (outside of rugby) allows me to be flexible so it won't be an issue. I think I will fit into it nicely."