NEW recruit Josh Tonks admits to not knowing who will be Keighley's main play-off rivals next year – but he seems certain Cougars will be up there in the reckoning.

Kingstone Press League One has been hard to call in recent years, with eight or nine clubs starting out with genuine hopes of getting in the top five.

Tonks thinks it will be the same again in 2017, with the traditional challengers' task made all the more difficult following the controversial introduction of new Canadian moneymen Toronto Wolfpacks.

However, having played in the knockouts in each of the past three campaigns with York City Knights, the 25-year-old wants the same again at Cougar Park – only this time with success at the end of it.

"Toronto will be up there making sure they're getting promoted. Hopefully we will be up there with them," said the direct, hard-running second-row.

"We'll be there or thereabouts and hopefully we can do it – that will be the goal I'm sure."

Asked who else will be in contention, the former Dewsbury player said: "I haven't got a clue to be honest, but I do know we've got a good squad together.

"It will be interesting again. League One is improving every year with better players coming in. It should be a good, exciting competition."

Tonks, who followed Mike Emmett from troubled York to Keighley, is currently working away but is set to join in pre-season training next Tuesday.

He said: "I'm looking forward to getting going again and to the new challenge.

"I spoke to Mike Emmett and he was full of praise for how training is going. I'm looking forward to learning new things off another coach and getting stuck in."

Last season ended in disarray at York, with the club's future plunged into doubt. Prospective new owners were hoping to complete a takeover this week, get the green light to play at York City's Bootham Crescent ground and be allowed back into League One.

Tonks, who has arrived at Cougar Park following the departure of Darren Hawkyard, said: "I loved it at York and wasn't planning on moving but it's fair to say it didn't end great and there was a lot of uncertainty, and it seemed right to move on.

"Keighley came in and a good offer came up and I had to take it.

"Hopefully I can get on the good side of the fans and play some good rugby."