NEW signing Charlie Martin feels he is a "more experienced" player following his return to Cougar Park.

Martin joined this week from Hunslet Hawks, having made six appearances on dual registration for the Cougars in 2013 while he was at Castleford.

The second-rower said: "The last time I was here I had just come out of the academy and had been thrown in at the deep end against fully-grown men at Castleford.

"Playing in the Championship was good experience and when I got back to Cas, I featured in a few Super League games.

"I went to Batley and then Hunslet and I've got a good grasp on the Championship as a competition and have more to my game than last time. I can't wait to show the lads and the fans that."

Yet it was the influence of player-coach Paul March which brought Martin back to Keighley, a relationship which started in his childhood.

"I've known Marchy since I was 11 and he was a coach at Thornhill Trojans," he said.

"I have a lot of respect for him and he's honest about what you need to do to improve your game and help you get back to the very top.

"I really enjoyed my spell here in 2013 and when I contacted Paul about coming back to the club, he got back to me straight away and I was really grateful for that."

Following the Hawks' relegation, Martin has been a regular at the Cougars' fixtures and is "excited" to be coming over from south Leeds.

"I've been coming to games recently and the lads gave 100 per cent and put in a good stint against North Wales on Sunday," he said.

"I know Swinton are a bit of a bogey side but a Grand Final is a completely different environment to a normal league game. There is more emotion to the match."

Just hours after re-signing for the club, Martin made a visit to supporter Callum Mynott, who is currently in intensive care with stage four cancer – a moment which moved the player.

Martin said: "It was tough and it certainly put a lot in perspective. He's gone through a lot and he just loves rugby league. It's tough for him that he's not playing.

"It was humbling and I was grateful for the opportunity to meet Callum. I'm sure Marchy and all the boys would join me in hoping he gets well very soon."