MARK Applegarth has come to York City Knights with a winning mentality - and he is determined such an attitude will see him return to Super League.

The 22-year-old forward was a big signing for the Knights when he put pen to paper on a one-year deal in the off-season, having been released by top tier side Wakefield Trinity Wildcats.

But rather than see it as a step down to National League Two, he wants it to be a stepping stone to a new Super League contract next year - and if he wins one, it means he will have performed brilliantly for York in 2008.

"I've got a point to prove within myself to show, after my injuries, that my body can handle it," said Applegarth, whose 2007 season was hindered by knee ligament surgery, which followed hernia operations, a broken hand and a broken toe in previous years.

"I want to get myself back fit and playing well and hopefully win a Super League deal for next season.

"I'll be giving it everything I've got, 120 per cent, and hopefully that will be good for York."

Not only does he want to win things for himself, he is also eager for the Knights to succeed - and he has set his sights high.

He declared: "I've always been the same. I never go into a game thinking I'm going to lose. There are four or five players here who have come down from Super League level, and there are several players who have had an impact in this division, plus a lot of good youngsters coming through. Promotion should be the club's goal and it should be the players' goal.

"If we set our stall out early and get a good winning run going, people will believe in themselves more."

Applegarth, though, is under no illusions about how difficult NL2 will prove, and he has stressed he won't go into games big-headed, even though he is dropping down two tiers.

"Doncaster have recruited brilliantly, especially with getting Ellery Hanley in as coach. He's a legend in the game and a lot of players will want to play for him," he said.

"Oldham have signed brilliantly as well. Hopefully we will be in the mix though. I won't be taking it lightly at all. It will be physically and a tough competition. In Super League the pace might be a bit quicker but I can't see much difference in the physicality. I've spoken to a few guys and they've informed me it's a rough and tough competition."

The season starts with the Northern Rail Cup games and, although Applegarth is of the common belief that the league is more important, he is taking that winning mentality into this competition too.

He said: "I've never played in the Northern Rail Cup. I would like us to go as far as we can. At the end of the day it is a competition and I play rugby league to win games and to win competitions. I want to win every game.

"The league will always be the priority though. If you win the league, it means you're the best team in the league, and that's what I want us to be."