Crooks targets Hull centre spot

Young Hull centre Ben Crooks is looking to make a starting centre spot his own after an impressive rookie year last season.

Crooks, 19, scored seven tries in 16 appearances for the Airlie Birds in 2012, earning himself a new contract to keep him at the KC Stadium until the end of 2015.

He told the club’s official website: “I’m happy with what I did last year but I can always do a lot more. I know I’ve got a long way to go and a lot more to learn.

“I need to keep my head down and my feet on the ground, and I’ll be looking to knuckle down, work hard and earn my place in the team.

“Pete (Gentle) had said last year that I might get a couple of games at the back end of the season, but I ended up getting a lot more than I was expecting.

“I know I can handle myself in Super League and I’m striving for that centre spot. I want it early on and to keep it throughout the year.”

Crooks is likely to face stiff competition from new signing Joe Arundel, who joined the club from Castleford, for a centre berth alongside Kirk Yeaman.