CHRIS Sandow is confident he can learn from fellow Australian arrival Kurt Gidley.

The former Parramatta Eels man may well find Gidley as his half-back partner for the 2016 season, with the 33-year-old ending a 15-year stint with Newcastle Knights by joining Warrington Wolves.

Sandow, who says his spell in a Wolves shirt last season will benefit him next campaign, believes Mitchell Dodds will also be a good addition to the primrose and blue squad.

“Kurt Gidley has been around for a while in the NRL, he’s played State of Origin and played for his country, so he’ll bring a lot of experience with him from back home,” said Sandow.

“He’s a competitor of a football player, I’ve played against him heaps of times and I really can’t wait to play with him.

“I, like everyone, am still learning the game and I can learn a good few things off Kurt when he comes over.

“Mitchell Dodds, I watched him play for the Broncos and he looks like a real footballer of a front-rower, which is really good.”

The former Indigenous All-Star representative spent six weeks back home after the Super League campaign closed, but was pleased to return to Wolves’ Padgate base for pre-season training a fortnight ago.

“I’ve come back in good shape, everyone was guessing I would come back a bit heavier but I’m back at 83kg, which is good, I play at 83,” explained the 26-year-old.

“I enjoyed the break but knew it was time to come back for pre-season and get ready for the season ahead.

“Pre-season is something I’m dedicated to, to keep training hard and to work hard for a good season ahead with the boys.”

And he feels having time to bed into The Wire squad last year will benefit the side this term.

“Especially for my position, we have to know all the calls and it was tough for me to come in and do that,” said Sandow, who began his NRL career at South Sydney.

“I know all the boys’ names now, that’s a big tick for me, you have to know and fit in with them.

“I think we can go a long way, but it’s important for me with calls and everything to know the boys more off the field so we can enjoy our success on the field.

“I’ve got the calls now, which is really good, and I’m really confident for next year.

“I want to be more consistent each week at doing my job and do my job really well for the team.

“I really enjoy the style of footy that Tony (Smith) has the team playing and I think that suits my game personally as a player.”

One thing Sandow, who is hoping to experience his first white Christmas this year, has taken from his new teammates is a love for coffee.

"I've only started drinking coffee since I got here," he laughed, not to keep warm during the British winter, but "because all the Wolves boys do".

“Hopefully it’ll be my first Christmas that it's snowing. I’ve not experienced that back home in Australia, so I’m really looking forward to it!"

And the Queensland-born half back is also determined to repay the faith shown by head of coaching and rugby Smith and owner Simon Moran in bringing him to England.

“Tony and Simon worked really hard with my manager to get me over here and I’ve really enjoyed my time playing under Tony so far.

“I can’t wait to pay the faith back in those guys, because I know they worked hard behind the scenes.

"Hopefully I can play my best footy over here and become a crowd favourite.”