Unseating Kiwi Test star Benji Marshall is part of Mathew Head's grand plan to prove St George Illawarra should never have let him go.

Head has confirmed he'd signed a one-year deal to join the Tigers, returning from England to pick up the pieces of his injury-interrupted career.

The 25-year-old halfback says he's determined to start 2008 in the No.7 jersey, forcing Marshall out of his recently adopted position for the season-opener against the Dragons at the SCG.

"I want to play in the trials, put some form on the board and maybe get picked in the seven in round one," said Head, before being told Marshall was the Tigers current halfback.

"I didn't really know that being in England," he replied.

"I spoke to (coach) Tim Sheens and he has given me an opportunity to come here so he must see something for me to play somewhere.

"I've just got to knuckle down, do the work and hope a spot comes up.

"I think my best position is number seven and (Marshall) is a great five-eighth and has showed that in the past and played for his country."

Head said he's motivated by the bitter fashion he left Australia last season when he sought a mid-year release from the Dragons to join English Super League club Hull.

After two seasons hampered by knee injuries, Head thought he'd finally turned the corner in his long recovery only to be told he didn't have a guaranteed future at the club.

He was demoted to premier league after just five NRL games in 2007 and wants to prove to everybody, particularly the Dragons, he isn't finished at the top level.

"I think I had some unfinished business back here. I suppose I wasn't too happy playing my last game in Australia in reserve grade," he said.

"I got some good training under my belt in England. I think all I need is a good off season and hopefully that is what I can achieve here and I will just put the injuries behind me.

"I think you read a lot in the papers (about the injuries) and I think a lot comes from the club I was at and what's going on there.

"I had a few injuries there and when you're getting dropped for reasons the media tends to pick up on the injuries and my knee.

"I think I'm over that and it's a great opportunity to start here fresh and show people what I can do.

"It's something I want to prove over here. I left being injured and I don't want to be known as a player that had injuries and couldn't make it to what his potential showed."

Head is confident the short trip to England has made him a better footballer and hopes to translate his growth under Hull coach Peter Sharp into Sheens' game plan at the Tigers.

"I learnt a lot from him (Sharp) and from playing with different types of players over there," he said.

"It was a good experience going to England but it's not for me at the moment, I've still got a lot to prove here.

"(The Tigers) play the style I like to play and throw the footy around and I'm sure I can have some fun doing that."

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