BRAD Walker hopes to have more first-team chances at Widnes Vikings as the Qualifiers looms large on the horizon.

The 19-year-old loose forward was part of the team beaten 22-6 by Warrington Wolves in the last game of the regular Super League season.

A former England Academy captain, Walker made his Viking top-flight debut last season, but played only a handful of minutes against Castleford Tigers.

Playing most of this season in the academy, he returned to the first-team against the same Castleford in May this year, and played twice more this month – against Huddersfield Giants and Warrington – showing his steady improvement.

Now, the Askam RL youth product – part of the all-conquering Dowdales School team who won four national crowns – hopes he can pick up more minutes in the middle-eights and start to establish himself around the first-team squad.

“It's been going well,” said the young South Cumbrian, whose middle-eights campaign starts against Warrington next week. “I've been playing for the academy for most of the year, and I've had a couple of games for the first team – I've just got to keep working hard in the academy and hopefully I'll get more than one game, hopefully a couple on the bounce for the first-team. I'm definitely enjoying it.

“Last year, I only played about 15 minutes, but this year, I've grown up a bit more. With the likes of Brett Hodgson coaching the academy, he has taught me a lot, and I think it has helped me progress.

“Against Warrington, I felt more at home. I'm feeling more grown-up now.

“Hopefully I can get a few games in the middle eights. I will give 100 per cent. Hopefully, next year as well I can play a few more games and get a new contract.”

He added: “A few months ago, I wasn't playing my best rugby, and I was a bit down on myself, but I had a few talks with the coach and they got me back on track.

“These last few weeks, I have been getting back to the level I know I can play at, and that's obviously why I have been playing a few games in the first team.

“It's in my head. I just have to keep playing the way I know I can, and going back to the things I do best.”

Walker knows he need to take every chance he can to impress when he is in and around the first-team squad – whether that be in training or when he is selected for Super League action.

Head coach Denis Betts is sure to be keeping a close eye on all his young players with a view to the middle eights, next season, and beyond, and Walker will want to make a good impression.

“All the young lads, every time they get the chance, you've just got to give it your all,” said Walker. “Hopefully the coaches see that you're giving 100 per cent, and you see what comes from that.

“Every training session, all the young ones have to give 100 per cent and give the best impression to the coaches to see if they will be picked at the end of the week.”