FAN favourite Ash Robson has revealed he doesn't know what he would have been doing in life had he not been given an opportunity by York City Knights.

The livewire full-back-cum-winger has looked in good nick this pre-season and admits he is in a "far better place" compared to 12 months ago when he returned to action overweight and off-form largely due to issues away from rugby.

He had endured difficult times earlier in his career, too, having been sidelined by injury for all of 2016 just as he was making waves with Castleford Tigers, before being given a lifeline by York.

Now, with a settled home life and a growing marketing business off the field, the 23-year-old - who ultimately played a full part in York's League One title triumph last year - is keen to continue repaying his hometown club as they return to the Betfred Championship for the first time since 2013.

They kick off the season with a televised clash at home to title favourites Toronto Wolfpack on Sunday.

"For me it's a case of doing whatever I can to help the team," said the former York Acorn junior when asked about his goals for 2019.

"I want to get as much game-time as I can too. If I'm fit, I want to play. I just want to give my all for the team and maintain good form.

"York as a club does mean something to me. I'm not sure what I would've been doing had I not come to York and been given that opportunity by the club.

"I'm massively grateful to York and I want to give my best and see what happens."

Robson is starting the final year of a three-year contract and admits to having low points in the previous two seasons - including a six-match ban in 2017 for allegedly spitting at an opponent in a match against Whitehaven. There was no hard evidence of the former York Acorn junior's guilt but the ban was upheld after an appeal.

"I want to play as well as I can for the team and we'll see what happens," he said when asked about the possibility of earning a new deal.

"My first year was really good personally, apart from the ban, and apart from missing out on promotion.

"My second year, last season, was a really good year for the club. Personally, my year was in two halves - the start was not great but the back end was better.

"A lot of it (at the start of last season) was to do with fitness but also my environment. I'm in a much better place now, just happier individually.

"Last year I had a lot going on away from rugby, but everything seems to have fallen into place nicely and it puts me in a better place and gives me more time to focus on rugby.

"I'm not sure it's a case of getting the bug back. Just the start of that second year, for me personally, I had that much going on that it didn't help my rugby.

"This year I've got my business up and running and that's helped with not having the stress of working for someone else, and the people I've surrounded myself with have really helped.

"That good feeling is back. I feel better and fitter - and slimmer - than last year. There's probably a 9kg or 10kg difference compared to this time last year."

Robson was switched to the wing part-way through last season having started it at full-back.

He admits having had reservations about it initially, but he grew into his new role to such an extent he ended the season as the team's second top-scorer with 18 tries in 26 appearances.

He explained: "When James Ford (head coach) switched me from full-back to wing - I don't think I liked it when it happened.

"But when I got my head around it and thought, 'You're still playing so try your hardest and learn a new position,' I started to really enjoy it."

Robson has been on the wing for the majority of his pre-season action but has also had minutes at full-back.

He said: "For me, if I don't play full-back and play on the wing, I'm happy. If I have to drop in at full-back, I'm happy.

"It's more tiring at full-back and you have more responsibility, but I'm happy wherever Fordy plays me as long as I'm playing.

"Whether it's playing wing, full-back, centre, hooker, wherever, I want to do as much as I can to contribute to our team goals - that's my goal."