NEW boss Brian McDermott has admitted Toronto Wolfpack's pre-season has had its "ups and downs" - but he says it will not affect their unabashed promotion goal.

McDermott, the four-time Super League-winning coach, would not comment on reports that players were not paid before Christmas prior to a cash injection and refinancing package in the New Year.

But he said recent "adversity" had shown his stellar squad to be a determined bunch - and has no qualms in saying winning the Betfred Championship is their 2019 target, beginning with tomorrow's opener against York City Knights at Bootham Crescent.

Asked if pre-season had been a good one, he said: "Not necessarily. We've had some ups and downs and one or two issues - none of them were too dramatic and none will affect the season too much.

"What I have found out because of the adversity is that I've got a very determined group of men. We've had more than a few challenges but the fellas have been outstanding with their attitude, and the staff deserve credit as well."

The big-spending Canadian outfit, full of Super League and NRL talent, begin term as odds-on title favourites, having topped the table last season only to miss out on promotion when losing the Million Pound Game to London Broncos - a surprise defeat which saw Paul Rowley depart as coach and former Leeds chief McDermott brought in.

On the club's ambitions to be in the top flight next year, he added: "That's what we're here for.

"We're allowed to have that as an ambition, even if we make it public - but that does not mean we're being arrogant or that we think it's going to be easy."

McDermott's older brother, Paul, was a star player for York in the early 1980s - one of the heroes of their 1981 title success in the old Division Two.

Asked if a visit to the Minster city was a nice way to start their campaign, 48-year-old Brian said: "We'll see.

"York have got some massive ambitions and, between the club and (head coach) James Ford, everyone knows what an incredible job they've done to not just get back on a stable footing but win League One last year in style.

"They're new to the Championship but they've got a fair amount of momentum behind them.

"It's a nice challenge for us to start with."

Former Great Britain prop McDermott has hitherto spent his entire coaching career in Super League, with his eight seasons in charge at Leeds reaping four titles, two Challenge Cups and a World Club Challenge success, prior to his departure in July last year.

Asked what he knew of the Knights, he said: "I know the coach is good. I've met James Ford a few times - when I was at Leeds he came and looked at what we did and I've had more than a few coffees with him. I know his philosophies.

"They have good players. Ben Cockayne for one is a standout player who can trouble any team and who's a competitor. There are a few in there that we're aware of."