Nilsen has made one appearance this season

Hooker Phil Nilsen is determined to take his chance in the Leeds Carnegie first team against London Wasps.

The 25-year-old is expected to be on the bench at Headingley, with Steve Thompson away on England duty.

Nilsen told BBC Radio Leeds: "It's been frustrating to watch from the sidelines, but I've used the time to improve my game within training.

"I can't wait for this weekend as it will only be my second game of the season. I'm determined to do my best."

Last season Nilsen fought his way up from the bottom of the Leeds' pecking order to second-choice hooker behind British Lion Andy Titterell.

However the arrival of Thompson from Brive in the summer has limited Nilsen to A team matches and just one first-team appearance, which came when the side travelled away to Bucharest in the Challenge Cup.

"It has given me more motivation to focus on the little things that can improve your game, things like my throwing and scrummaging, the little things that can make a big difference," explained the former back-rower.

Phil's attitude has been fantastic all season. He has been brilliant and credit to him Andy Key

"I've just had to make sure when it comes to training that I'm very positive and help the boys as much as I can to prepare for a game whether I'm involved or not.

"It has been hard for me, but Andy and Steve have been playing very well, so it's just one of those things where you need to take a side seat and wait for your opportunity and then take that when it comes.

"The coaches are very open with me and speak to me every week about my situation, how I'm playing in the A team and in training, things like that.

"I've learnt a lot from both Andy and Steve. They are two very different hookers, so I can learn different things from them. Having their experience here has really helped my game.

"With Thommo [Thompson] away this weekend it gives me a chance to play and I'm determined to take it."

Nilsen has been an impressive performer for Leeds' A team and director of rugby Andy Key is confident he will transfer that form into the first-team.

Key said: "Phil's attitude has been fantastic all season. We were open and honest with him at the start of the season that he'd have to fight hard with Steve Thompson coming in.

"Despite coming up against the current England hooker [Thompson] and a man that wants to get his England place back [Titterell] Phil didn't see it as him out of the picture but as a challenge to improve.

"Every time you see him on the field he responds in the same way, working hard to show us all he should be in the first team.

"He has been brilliant all season and credit to him. He was great against Northampton on Monday in the A team and he'll take that into Sunday's game."

Nilsen's inclusion is likely to be just one of a limited amount of team changes against Wasps.

Hendre Fourie is way with Thompson on England duty, so will be replaced on the back-row, with the fit again Alfie Too'ala fighting for that place.

Fly-half Christian Lewis-Pratt is also available after overcoming his own injury problems.

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