Toronto’s squad is not too small, insists Jon Wilkin

Drew Darbyshire

Toronto have only got 23 players at their disposal so far – but Jon Wilkin insists the Wolfpack’s squad isn’t too small.

The Wolfpack are seeking salary cap dispensation with the Rugby Football League after admitting they are at their salary cap limit.

Toronto coach Brian McDermott has only named a 20-man squad to take on Salford this Saturday, with Darcy Lussick missing from last week.

Wilkin said: “When I signed for St Helens in 2003, I was squad number 21 and we had a 21-man squad.

“We’ve got this perception that you need a 40-man squad to be successful but the teams who have got successful academies – Wigan, Warrington, Leeds and St Helens – they bring through 10 or 12 players with limited experience through every year because of their academies.

“At Toronto, we don’t have an academy. We are such an embryonic brand that the club needs time to develop that.

 

“What we have got is a vastly experienced squad, a competent squad and a squad that is able to learn and that is exciting as having a 40-man squad in my opinion.

“The option to bring people in has got to be there and it will be entertained but we are more than happy with the lads we’ve got.”

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