Hull FC boss Lee Radford has backed new signing Nick Rawsthorne to break into the first team.
The 21-year-old versatile back is one of three new recruits at the KCOM ahead of next season, with Josh Griffin and Jake Connor also joining the club for 2017.
Rawsthorne only made his debut for former club Halifax in August but impressed in their Championship Shield campaign.
Radford confirmed that Rawsthorne would be given a chance to impress in pre-season, which could result in him forcing his way into contention.
“I guarantee everybody in pre-season that they’ll all get a shot at it,” Radford told TotalRL.
“With Nick being new to the group, he will get more games in pre-season than he won’t. That should work in his benefit because it will give him plenty of chance to shine in pre-season and show that he is ready to have a crack at Super League. That’s the way we’ll be going with him.”
Radford went on to explain that he came across the youngster by fluke.
“He was a real left-fielder, to be honest.
“He played against our reserves at a rugby union ground. I didn’t actually go to the game as I’d taken my boys to a rugby tournament, but the evening after the game I got four or five calls with everyone telling me that I had to have a look at this kid.
“I got the video the next morning and I could see his natural and physical ability. We got the ball rolling and having seen him a few times, he looks like he’s got something. The boy can play.”
