HEAD coach Dave Woods reckons Tom Lineham has all the ingredients to be a 30-tries-a- season man for York City Knights – and ultimately make it to the top echelons of rugby league.

The Press can reveal the teenage flier, pictured, is to stay at Huntington Stadium next season having agreed an improved contract, thus ending rumours surrounding his future following a superb first full season in open age rugby league.

Lineham, 18, has cemented a first-team berth on the wing and has so far bagged nine tries in 15 appearances, including five in the last two games since Woods took the helm.

The Aussie coach reckons the youngster still has a lot of improving to do but has “the ability to go all the way” in the game.

“He’s improving all the time,” said Woods. “He’s got the build, the body and the athleticism, and he’s quick as well. He just needs to improve his game sense really.

“He could be an important player next season if he gets his game in order. He could be scoring 25 to 30 tries a season, which is what he needs to be doing.”

Lineham, from South Milford, who studies at Selby College, has only been playing rugby league for two years after making the switch from York Rugby Union Club in 2008. He made two appearances for the Knights first team last season while making quick strides in the reserves.

Woods added: “He’s definitely got the ability to go all the way to Super League. He’s a few years off it yet as he’s still learning the game, learning to be in the game for the full 80 minutes and not switching off. There are just little things to work on.

“Defensively he needs to improve, learning to be in the right positions, but we’re working with him and he’s still young. He does it at times but he needs to make sure he’s doing it all the time.”

Knights general manager Ian Wilson reckoned Lineham would have caught the eye of several clubs already, including those in higher tiers, so was delighted he is staying at York.

He said: “He’s a player who’s developed a lot over a short period of time and, with the way he’s played, it does not take a genius to work out other clubs would be interested.

“He’s still only 18 and has a lot to learn but he’s been playing week in week out and that’s helping. He’s able to play and improve and we’re very pleased he’s decided to stay.”

Lineham, then 17, finished third in the Sprint Challenge at the Carnegie 9s tournament last summer, beating numerous top-flight pacemen. He could feature in that race again next month.

Wilson added: “He definitely could get to Super League in the future.

“He’s got all the right attributes and, while he’s still got a lot to learn, particularly defensively, he knows that.

“But he’s a big, strong lad and is probably the quickest winger in the division. He’s improving every week.

“Dave Woods has spoken to him about getting more tries and in the last two games he’s scored five.

“Hopefully that will come more and more into his game and, after another year’s experience and another full pre-season, we could see even bigger improvements.”