PAUL Johnson says his Hull FC debut cannot come soon enough after declaring himself ready for the new season to start.
The 24-year-old – an off-season signing from Wakefield Wildcats – has thrown himself into life with the Black and Whites in an effort to earn a place in the side for the opening game against Leeds Rhinos on February 1.
Content either in the front or second row, Johnson has been eager to impress in pre-season after describing his transition from the Wildcats as easy.
Relishing the intensity of the training ahead of the Christmas break, he says the impending training camp in Tenerife and friendly games have seen his excitement for the new campaign rocket.
"It will soon be Christmas, then we have the training camp in Tenerife and as soon as we get back we are into the friendly games," Johnson told the Mail.
"You can sense the season getting closer now and it can't start soon enough for me.
"Training is really intense and it has been very hard. I've really enjoyed it, though, and I am feeling really good because of it.
"All these weeks of hard work we've been putting in are going in the bank and I'm ready for the season to start now, I cannot wait to get going."
Johnson's first opportunity to impress the Hull fans will be Kirk Yeaman's testimonial game against Castleford Tigers at the KC Stadium on January 13.
With the derby against Hull KR a week later, Johnson and his new Hull team-mates know they have only two games to impress coach Peter Gentle and force their way onto the team sheet for the season-opening trip to Headingley.
"I'll treat the friendlies like any other game and I'll be going into it like it's a Super League game," added Johnson.
"I really want to impress in these friendlies and this is my chance to show the coach what I can do.
"I've been doing my best in training and hopefully I can take that onto the pitch and show what I can do."
Johnson faces stiff competition for a place in the Black and Whites' pack from experienced star names Andy Lynch and Mark O'Meley, as well as the likes of Jay Pitts, Liam Watts and risings local stars Chris Green and Josh Bowden.
The ex-St Helens man says he's relishing training alongside Lynch and Gareth Ellis and is using the competition to drive him on.
"There are a lot of very good players here and a lot of competition, but for me it is great to be working with players like Gareth Ellis and Andy Lynch," he said.
"I'm learning from them and I'm doing all I can to impress myself."
