Paul McShane wants to take his chance at Leeds

James Gordon

Leeds hooker Paul McShane says he doesn’t have a point to prove at Headingley after returning for pre-season training.

McShane, 22, spent much of last season on loan at Widnes, having been forced out of the team by the arrival of Shaun Lunt from Huddersfield.

With Lunt now back at the John Smith’s Stadium, McShane is hoping to earn his place back in the Rhinos line-up.

He said: “I don’t need to prove a point, I have just got to take a chance.

“I’ve got to knuckle down and get on with it. I am glad to be back at Leeds. I am a Leeds lad and all I wanted to do when I was growing up was play with my home town club.

“Signing a four-year deal shows I want to be part of this club and part of its future.”

McShane made 11 appearances for the Vikings during his loan spell, suffering an ankle injury against in Warrington in the final game of the season, although he hopes to have recovered to feature for Leeds in their Boxing Day friendly.

Despite being sent out on loan, he still managed to feature eight times for his hometown club in 2012 having been handed the number nine shirt at the start of last season.

He faces competition from the likes of Rob Burrow and Liam Hood for the hooker role next season, when he will look to add to the 38 appearances he has made for the club since his debut back in 2009.