Oliver Wilkes insists he has no axe to grind when he lines up for Harlequins RL against former club Wakefield Wildcats this weekend as the Super League campaign gets underway.

Wilkes moved to the Stoop in October after two successful seasons in Yorkshire, capped by a try-scoring appearance for Scotland against Fiji in the 2008 World Cup.

But the 29-year-old forward reveals he bears no animosity towards his previous outfit.

Wilkes said: “Naturally you always want to do well against a former club, but Wakefield offered me a three-year deal at the end of last season so it is not as though I have a point to prove to them.

“I had already made the decision to come to London so it was not something I had to think too long about.

“The main thing I will want to get out of the game is obviously just to win.

“Apart from that, if I can make the Harlequins fans happy that would be great, and of course I don’t want the Wakefield fans to be glad to see the back of me!”

Wilkes was one of Brian McDermott’s first signings this off-season as he looks to remould the Quins squad into a combative force.

And the Ulverston-born man admitted he was impressed by Harlequins coach’s pitch.

He added: “Brian described what he thought I was like as a player and said that was exactly what he was all about.

“He told me where he wants to be and that I could be a big part of that and he made it a pretty easy decision for me to be honest.

“I am really glad I made the move as I have been here two months now and loved every minute of it.”

So, how does Wilkes see himself as a player?

Well, if the burly prop/back rower is to be believed, Quins fans could soon have a new favourite.

Wilkes added: “I give my all week in, week out and that will be no different here.

“Whatever the outcome of the game it will not be for the want of trying on my part.

“I will take that carry that nobody else wants and I will take the bumps and bruises.

“It has always been my belief that to win you have to work hard and hard work I can promise.”