PROP Chris Green says he's put a frustrating 2014 behind him as he sets his sights on once again being a familiar figure in the Hull FC line-up.
The 24-year-old, preparing for his fourth season as a first-team member, endured a difficult 2014 after an injury set-back, followed by a frustrating wait on the sidelines to make his Super League debut under Lee Radford.
A starting prop under former coach Peter Gentle, Green played over 20 times in the last season of the Australian coach's tenure. He found life a little harder under Radford, having been made to wait until round 20 of the campaign to make his seasonal debut at Salford Red Devils.
Encouraged by his regular presence in the latter stages of last season, Green says he's now focused on being a first-team regular once again.
"This season I want to be playing week in and week out," Green told the Mail. "In my first year I played eight games and then in 2013 I had my breakthrough year and played over 20, but last year I was down to eight again, although it was a bit out of my hands.
"I know it will be tough because there is a lot of competition for places in the front row. That's healthy and hopefully it will spur me on more."
Green was one of many players who earned Radford's scorn following the pre-season friendly defeat at Featherstone Rovers almost a year ago, with the prop's day worsened by an ankle injury less than two weeks before the start of the Super League season.
"Last season was definitely frustrating for me," added Green.
"I trained all throughout pre-season and trained well and then in the last friendly I injured my ankle which was really unfortunate.
"I took that on the chin, I worked hard on my rehab and then worked hard to get back into the team.
"It was frustrating that it wasn't until later on in the season that I got my chance, but all I could do was wait for my opportunity and I feel I took it when I got it."
Another opportunity will come Green's way in a little over three weeks' time when Hull play the first of their friendlies at Doncaster, where Green spent time last season on a dual-registration deal.
For the prop, the importance of leaving a good impression throughout January's trial matches is crucial.
"The friendly games are a big opportunity to show the boss that you want to be playing in the first game of the season and that you deserve to, so they are massively important and I cannot wait for them to come round now," added Green.
