HULL KR second rower Jordan Cox believes working with ex-NRL stars Cory Paterson and Travis Burns will help him become a first-team regular.
Cox, who is preparing for his third Super League season, has long-term hopes of playing for England.
And he feels the knowledge he can gain from the experienced Aussies in Rovers' squad can only help his cause.
The 20-year-old accepts the arrival of the likes of the experienced Paterson at KR has toughened the fight on his hands to nail down a regular spot in the squad.
But, having had time to see the impact the new additions have made at KR, he is determined to work hard and use their presence to help his own game.
"My goal this season is to play regularly and keep in Craig Sandercock's mind when he is picking his squad. Then, when I do get a chance, I want to play well for the team," Cox told the Mail.
"I have some good players ahead of me in the KR team with Con Mika and Cory Paterson, but the new arrivals, Cory and Travis Burns, have been great with me.
"Cory has helped me with my ball handling skills a lot and Travis has spent a lot of time doing different plays with me and telling me my strengths and weaknesses.
"I don't feel as though I'm an established member of the squad yet, but maybe after 50 games or so, I'll feel different. I feel more comfortable.
"As a player I feel as though I am improving all the time, but I'm still only 20 and I have plenty of time ahead of me. As long as I'm playing, I'm happy."
Cox returned from his second pre-season warm-weather training camp in Tenerife with the Robins shortly before Christmas, and is happy with what was achieved.
He hopes for better fortune on the field in 2013 than in 2012, when a ruptured spleen had to be removed following a reserve game at Wigan.
It was an injury which threatened not only his career, but initially his life, as doctors acted quickly to save him.
He was ruled out for the season, but fought back to return to Super League action, and now he feels ready to find his best form.
"I feel much better now that I have put a bit of weight on," Cox said.
"Looking down the line, I want to play for England, but firstly my aim is to be in the 17-man KR squad every week. Then there's no reason why I can't go on and play for England."
