AUSTIN Buchanan reckons York City Knights can look up towards the play-offs rather than worry about relegation.

The flying winger, who made his debut back at Huntington Stadium in Sunday's narrow loss to Leigh Centurions, says the side should be confident of rising into mid-table in National League One, despite their blank sheet so far.

And he is keen to help them do just that after returning on loan from Super League side Wakefield.

"The lads aren't thinking about relegation," he told The Press. "They're more worried about not getting into the play-offs than getting relegated.

"We've played four of the top sides - Hull KR, Leigh, Widnes and Halifax - as well as Rochdale, who are going well, and the lads have said that in four of those five games we could have won on another day.

"When we play the lower clubs we will have a good chance of beating them."

He added: "Against the three full-time teams we've pushed two all the way. We could be up there with the likes of Halifax and Doncaster fighting for fifth or sixth place if we put our heads to it."

Buchanan, a free-scoring fans' favourite on his previous spell at York before his winter switch to the Wildcats, reckoned he had an "average" game against Leigh but says there is much more to come.

He has played four times in Super League this season but his last appearance in Wakefield's first team was a few weeks ago, while their Academy have not played for a month.

"I haven't had a game in a few weeks so I was glad to play the full 80 minutes," he said. "Hopefully I will get better in the next few matches. I just need games, that's all."

He added: "The team were awesome. All the lads can hold their heads up. Leigh had a full-time side and we pushed them to the limit and I think on another day we could have beaten them.

"Everyone in the changing rooms was positive. They're all saying these next few league games are important games and I think if we take this performance into those matches we won't go wrong."

The 21-year-old added he was glad to be back at York. "It was not planned for me to come back like this - I thought I would play more in Super League - but coming here is good," he said.

"There were a few clubs after me but this was the only choice for me. I know everybody here, the fans are great, the coaching staff are great and the players are great. There are a few new faces but I've been made to fit in again no problem and there's a really good team spirit here."

As for his new aims, he said: "It's just to play as many games as I can and play well. Hopefully, Wakefield coaches will see what I'm all about - I've not had the best of runs there up to now. If I keep my head down, work hard, play well and score tries, it will be good for York and I will get noticed again and kick on from there."

Updated: 11:34 Tuesday, May 16, 2006