THE Toby King situation is a strange one.

Clearly, there is an incredibly talented player in there, otherwise Warrington Wolves would not have been forced to pull out all the stops to keep him last year.

At that point, he was the best centre in the competition and on his day, he is an extremely classy and athletic centre who would be of high value to any team in Super League.

Warrington Guardian:

Toby King's form in the early part of 2021 earned him a lengthy new contract at Warrington Wolves. Picture by SWPix.com

The problem for Warrington is that since he penned that lengthy – and reportedly lucrative – new deal, those days have not happened often enough and a little over a year later, he found himself out of favour and out of the club.

There have been plenty who have questioned the wisdom of giving King such a deal – even when his newly-confirmed loan deal with Wigan Warriors expires around this time next year, his Halliwell Jones Stadium contract will still have two seasons left on it.

> More on Toby King's loan move to Wigan Warriors for 2023

At that point, however, the backlash had he been allowed to leave would have been considerable. Wire had to act but for one reason or another, things just have not worked out.

What this does do, however, is force Warrington’s hand as King simply must be replaced.

It could have been argued that Wire needed at least one outside back anyway – as well as Matty Ashton, Josh Thewlis and Connor Wrench have done this year, you feel they still lack an out-and-out, bona fide winger.

Centres were already pretty thin on the ground for 2023, too – and that was before this deal and Wrench’s injury which will keep him out of a good chunk of the campaign.

Simply put, the need to strengthen in the backs is surely now the most pressing among recruitment priorities.

For many supporters, they will hope King’s replacement is already at the club in the shape of the man they swapped him for – England international Jake Wardle.

Warrington Guardian:

Jake Wardle has impressed since joining The Wire. Picture by Mike Boden

The Huddersfield man’s impact has been immediate, with an impressive record of four tries in six appearances.

The left edge has looked a lot more threatening since he was slotted into it as well as stiffer defensively.

Will this latest development clear the way for his move to Warrington to become permanent?