TOBY King has “stepped up and earned” his new contract with The Wire, head coach Steve Price said.

The 21-year-old penned fresh terms with the club yesterday, Wednesday, to keep him at The Halliwell Jones Stadium until the end of next season.

King’s previous contract was due to expire in November, but five tries in seven appearances this campaign has seen him rewarded with a new deal.

The centre, who joined the club from Huddersfield alongside brother George, will miss Saturday’s game against Hull Kingston Rovers with a hamstring injury, but Price says King is “the type of player he needs” at the club.

He also says he will give King “the tools to become the best player he can.”

“He’s certainly stepped up and earned it,” he said.

“When I came to the club, I could see what type of player he was throughout the pre-season.

“He’s a young guy with a lot of ability and up-side to his game.

“He’s a fantastic finisher and he’s a big guy. The type of player we need around to go forward as a footy club.

“I’m really pleased he’s staying with us, because the club has done a lot of good things for Toby when he came over as a young fella.

“As a coaching staff, it’s been about giving him the tools to become the best player he can.

“There’s been continuing improvement in his game over the past few weeks.

“People have to understand that he is still only young.”

Since making his first-team debut in 2014, King has made 37 appearances for The Wire and has crossed for 11 tries.

He is already enjoying his best season in terms of try-scoring and his right-edge partnership with winger Josh Charnley has caught the eye in recent weeks.

However, hamstring injuries have plagued him in recent years but Price says there is not yet a timescale for his return from this latest issue.

“He’s got a bit of a tear. It’s in the hands of the medical team,” he said.

“There’s no timescale on Toby yet. We’ll know more later in the week but he won’t play on Saturday.”