TEENAGE prop Liam Watling is hoping 2007 will be his breakthrough year - and he's already started pre-season training to make it so.

The former Heworth ARLC junior has signed a new one-year deal with York City Knights and is determined to become a big part of his home-town club's future.

To that aim, he is currently taking tips off the Knights' Aussie blockbuster, Dave Buckley, in a bid to make up ground on the likes of Adam Sullivan, Joe Helme and new signings Tabua Cakacaka and Ryan McDonald, who are the likely frontrunners in the race for front-row shirts.

"I've been going to the gym with Dave Buckley," he explained. "I've just been trying to get bigger, stronger and faster in order to make that first-team place mine.

"The other props in the squad are big lads and I'm only 19 so I've got a bit of catching up to do, but I'm trying to cut that advantage shorter and shorter."

Watling, a Great Britain Amateurs Under-18s international, was on Hull's Academy books before leaving the Airlie Birds to become one of the first players to join the Knights' new Academy ten months ago.

He was a regular in the Knights' U21s side this year and had little hesitation in signing up again, saying that playing for his home-town club is a big part of his motivation.

"It was pretty much what I wanted to do," he said. "I work in York, I've lived here all my life. I was a York Wasps fan and had watched York City Knights when I had time off from Hull.

"All my family were Wasps fans and I've been brought up playing amateur rugby in York. Seeing all these people you know in the crowd is a big part of it."

He also praised the coaching staff at Huntington Stadium and said boss Mick Cook was a "big inspiration".

"He knows what he's talking about and the likes of Jason Ramshaw have been there and done it," he added.

Cook himself reckons Watling has a big future if he puts the effort in. "He was pretty solid for the U21s," said Cook. "He's started his pre-season early to get fitter and stronger and get a bit of size on. He did a lot of good things in games and it's now about him being ready for the first team when he gets the opportunity.

"He knows that, and he wants this year to hopefully break in and secure a place.

"We've got some new props but he's more than capable if he does the right programme regarding his physical condition. He's pretty skilful and can pass the ball and off-load well; he probably just lacks a bit of core strength which he's working on. He knows what we require and he's working hard to implement that."