WIDNES Vikings second rower Chris Houston has revealed goals for next season.

The 31-year-old, enjoying his first season with Widnes Vikings after moving from Australian club St George Illawarra Dragons, is due to make his 200th career appearance when the Black and Whites visit Catalans Dragons in the south of France at the start of the Super 8s tomorrow, Saturday.

The amiable Australian cites 2013 as his most successful year to date, when a late run of victories saw his then club Newcastle Knights narrowly miss out on a Grand Final place

Houston hopes to go one better with Vikings.

"We're happy to be in the top eight this year," he said.

"But we are really pushing to make the top four next season and maybe reach a final. That would definitely be a highlight!"

"To be honest, I wasn't really that conscious of it," said Houston of his 200-game marker.

"I knew I was over 170 games when I left the NRL, but I haven't been totting up my appearances in Widnes.

"I'm a little surprised. I suppose it's a nice landmark, but it isn't something that will be on my mind on Saturday."

Houston made his NRL debut in 2007, spending most of his senior career at Newcastle Knights (2008-2015), alongside household names like Kurt Gidley (now at Warrington Wolves) and Danny Buderus.

Since joining Vikings Houston has made 23 appearances and scored two tries, to add to the 29 he scored in the NRL.

"Coming to Widnes was a big move after spending so long at Newcastle," he admitted.

"It has been a challenge, but I'm really enjoying it and the people of Widnes are very friendly.

"The town has a lot in common with Newcastle, which has a lot of blue-collar industry. All that's missing is a beach!"

Houston has kept in touch with his former teammates, taking advice from Buderus (a Grand Final winner with Leeds Rhinos) about coming to the Super League and keeping in close contact with Gidley.

"It has really worked out well with Kurt being at Warrington," he said.

"Our wives are close friends and that has helped us settle. The game itself isn't too different to the game in Oz - it's a bit colder, but you get used to that."