CHRIS Levy has admitted he has a hard act to follow - but he is determined to deliver the goods.

York City Knights' new Australian scrum-half is set to take over the number seven shirt from departed record-breaking points-machine Danny Brough.

And, on top of that, he will follow in the esteemed footsteps of fans favourites Trevor Krause and Simon Friend as Aussies at Huntington Stadium.

But having now arrived in York, the 27-year-old, who had his first pre-season training session with his new team-mates last night, is eager to get into the groove early and repeat their success.

"I'm aware of how Danny went and there's a bit of pressure and expectation on me, but hopefully I can deliver," he told the Evening Press. "I'm relatively confident as long as I get my fitness up, which is my initial goal."

Levy, who can also play stand-off or hooker, has not played since August and, having landed in London in mid-October, has spent the last few weeks travelling around Europe.

"I enjoyed my travels around Europe, with plenty of culture, food and beer, but I'm ready now to get onto the training paddock and get some fitness.

"I'm in need of a run but I had my first training session last night and met all the guys and I'm looking forward to getting into it.

"My aim initially is to make sure I cement a spot in the starting side and from then to give it my best shot to get York up to National League One. That's the goal of the whole team."

Levy revealed he initially approached York off his own bat. "I had been playing in Sydney since I was a boy apart from a year in France and I thought I needed a bit of a change," he explained.

"I got onto the Internet, looked at a few different clubs and approached a couple and York looked the best by a long way, especially with the crowds and support they get.

"Steve Ferres contacted me, I sent a video over and he seemed really keen, and it was all more than enough for me to realise York was the place to head to."

His year in France was in 2001 with Villefranche in the Elite League. Previous to that, he played in Australia for NRL giants Penrith and, while he broke into the first team eight times, he spent most of his six years there playing reserve grade, captaining the side for three years and helping them to their Grand Final in 2000.

On his return to Australia he joined another NRL club, Western Suburbs, and went on to captain their Reserves too, helping them to reach the play-offs for the first time in six years.

Knights player Dean Andrews has signed for NL1 club Doncaster Dragons.

Updated: 10:27 Friday, November 12, 2004