FEARS that new York City Knights ace Neil Thorman could be ruled out for a while have been allayed.

The 20-year-old limped out of Sunday's friendly win over Doncaster with a calf problem but the former Gateshead star expects to be fit and ready for the Knights' next friendly, against Hull at the KC Stadium on Wednesday, January 26.

He explained: "I took a bang on the calf and it's a bit swollen but it should be okay. The physio said to ice it and rest it, nothing major."

The Tyneside-based youngster, who joined York with his brother Paul in the off-season from the Thunder, is meanwhile enjoying life at Huntington Stadium.

"Training's been really good," said the skilful youngster.

"There are a lot more experienced players here, like Lee Jackson who played for so long at the highest level. It's good to learn off people like that."

Thorman shone at hooker for Thunder last season but is coming up against Jackson and Jim Elston for the number nine shirt at the Knights. He can also play at half-back - he started Sunday's match at stand-off before having his contribution cut short - but faces a stiff challenge for those spots too.

Yet he said: "You always want competition for places if you're going to improve. You end up pushing yourself more and trying to impress more.

"I haven't played stand-off as much (as scrum-half) but it's half-back and I found it went all right.

"It's just case of getting used to things, to the new structure and how we play.

"I only played hooker for the one season, I usually played scrum-half, but I enjoyed it, playing around the ruck area around the big fellas. It seemed to click."

He added: "Just being on the pitch is the important thing.

"If I can get in the team I will play anywhere."

As for the goal of promotion from LHF Healthplan National League Two, he kept things low-key. "We can't say anything about the league just on two friendlies," he said.

"Everything is going well and so far so good. It's two wins out of two and hopefully we can keep doing that."

Updated: 10:54 Thursday, January 20, 2005