Fresh from an eye-catching lower grade debut for the club against Cessnock last weekend, Young has been rewarded by coach Adam O'Brien with a spot on Newcastle's extended bench against the premiers.

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He is certain to get game time at some stage against the Storm and says he wants to "do the business" when he does get his chance.

"It's definitely a big opportunity for me so I've just got to try and do the business on Saturday and hopefully that will put me in a good position," Young said.

With Origin winger Edrick Lee sidelined and set to miss the opening few rounds of the season and Hymel Hunt also nursing a hamstring strain and rested for the trial, the door has opened ever so slightly for the 19-year-old.

Asked if he thought if he was ready to handle the huge step-up to NRL level, Young said: "I've always had a lot of confidence in my game - I've always backed myself.

"I wouldn't feel out of place if the coach put me in there. I think I'd be alright but that's down to others. I've just got to keep training hard and [keep] proving myself and see what happens."

The reality is the Knights aren't about to rush the former Huddersfield teenager but his sheer physical presence [he is almost two metres tall and weighs 107kgs] and the way he has handled pre-season training suggests it may not be too long before he is knocking on the door.

There is little doubt Young has the desire to do well.

He debuted in the English Super League at 16 and says he made the massive decision to leave home and travel half way around the world on his own to join the Knights to "test myself".

"I know the NRL is the best competition," he said when asked about his decision to come to Australia.

"I thought getting out here as soon as possible was only going to help me in the long run. I just wanted to come out here and really improve."

Ironically, Young could easily be playing for the Storm and not the Knights after they chased him hard initially. Melbourne thought they had him too before Knights recruitment official Alex McKinnon snuck in under their guard.

Young says he was happy with his effort against the Goannas but knows a far sterner test awaits.

"It's going to be a massive step-up but that's why I came here to test myself against the best players so hopefully it will be a good one for me on the weekend," he said.

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