MATT Blaymire has been quick to praise the role York City Knights played in his rise to Super League stardom ahead of his return to Huntington Stadium.

The 25-year-old full-back will captain Wakefield Trinity Wildcats in the pre-season friendly on Sunday, after a debut season in the top tier which ended with a surprise call-up to the Great Britain train-on squad for the Test series against New Zealand.

It will be his first game back at his old stomping ground since leaving for Belle Vue at the end of 2006, although he has returned several times since as a spectator.

"Without York I don't think I would be in the position I am today," Blaymire told The Press.

"I've got a lot of time for the club, the staff, the players and the fans. I'd like to think I'd get a good reception from the supporters."

Blaymire played 44 times for the Knights in 2005 and 2006 - being one of the stars of the National League Two 2005 title-winning season - before signing for the Wildcats and becoming their first-choice full-back.

A former Wakefield academy ace, he had also had an initial injury-hit spell at York in 2003 before spending a year in Australia, after which his progress was rapid under former Knights coach Mick Cook and current Wakefield boss John Kear.

"I can't wait for Sunday. I've been looking forward to it ever since the pre-season fixtures were announced," said Blaymire, adding that having the armband will make it extra special.

"When John named the team the other day there was a C' next to my name. I felt very privileged."

Another good season could see Blaymire knocking on the door of the England squad for the World Cup in Austra-lia. But he was keeping his feet on the ground.

"I don't want to set my sights too high. I just want to hopefully carry on from where I left off last season, try to do all the little things right and play well. If it happens it happens and if it doesn't it doesn't," he said.

"It was an unbelievable first year in Super League. It happened really quickly and to get into the GB picture was a good achievement."

Blaymire will be one of several first-choice players in the Wakefield line-up on Sunday.

Others include centre Ryan Atkins, pivot Brad Drew, props Danny Sculthorpe and Richard Moore, and hooker Levita Leo-Latu, while Jason Golden - who moved to Wakefield from York alongside Blaymire - Brett Ferres and Duncan MacGillivray will be battling for regular back-row spots.

However, Danny Brough, another former Knights favourite, who has joined the Wildcats from Castleford, is not included in their match-day squad.

New Knights player-coach Paul March, released by Wakefield after last season, is looking forward to the test against his former employers. "Wakefield are bringing a pretty strong team," said March, who is set to make his York debut against his old mates.

"The majority of the players are full-time and it's going to be a challenge for us. We're looking to be competitive and build on our game last week.

"It will be a good test to see how far we've come since November and how much more work we need to do by February."