Leeds hooker Paul Aiton says he doesn’t think it will be long before he is replicating the form that saw him voted as Wakefield’s player of the year in 2013.
The Papua New Guinea international, 28, is still settling in at his new home and is getting used to starting most matches on the bench.
“I would have liked to have started this season the way I left off last year,” he said.
“I am still getting to know the boys, but I don’t think it will take me long. I feel as though I’ve settled in. I am still enjoying it, but getting the ankle injury was annoying.
“That’s one of those things that can sometimes be in the back of your mind, but for me I just want to get it back to 100 per cent so I can be a bit more sharp out of dummy-half, but I am pleased I got on the field last week and I got to enjoy the win with the boys.”
Now Kevin Sinfield plies his trade in the halves, Rob Burrow has switched to starting at hooker, with Aiton on the bench as an impact player.
“I have just got to get used to it really. It is a different role,” he said.
“I am used to starting and doing the 80 and now I have got to pace myself.
“Being on the bench a lot can happen before I get on the field, but Mac [coach Brian McDermott] has been good. He gave me a lot of time last week and he has been letting me settle into my role. I have just got to pick it up now.
“He is steering the team,” he said. “I would love to start, but I’ve just got to keep playing well and give him another choice.”
Finally, Aiton paid special tribute to Jamie Peacock, who he said ‘leads from the front’.
“I am really enjoying playing with JP – he just leads by example,” he said.
“He is definitely a great pack leader and I really enjoy playing alongside him.”
