Matty Ashton keen to prove himself with Warrington Wolves

He has become used to building himself back up again, with two major injuries punctuating his time as a Warrington Wolves player thus far.

Having lit up the early weeks of The Wire’s 2020 campaign, a torn hamstring cut him down while last year having got a run in his favoured position of full-back, ankle ligament damage put him on the shelf until the season’s latter weeks.

Matty Ashton lies stricken on the turf against Hull KR last year having suffered the serious ankle injury that took out much of his season. Picture by Mike Boden

Those false starts have hampered his belief that he could make it as a top-level player and he admits that rediscovering that has been his main takeaway from the past few months.

Ashton’s electric pace has him among the first names on many fans’ teamsheets and with Daryl Powell affirming that he is his first-choice winger alongside Josh Charnley, they will finally get their wish.

However, he knows that speed is not the be all and end all.

“For myself, I feel like I’ve progressed a lot physically. I feel a lot stronger and more confident in what I’m doing,” he told the Guardian.

“I’ve been trying to get some belief in what I could do back in regard to skill and hopefully that belief will allow me to cement a place in the team.

“It can’t just be about speed – the skill has to be there. I’ve had to work on it as it’s been an area in which I’ve struggled in the past.

“It’s time to believe in myself and show it on the pitch.

“Getting through a full season is definitely my main target, and playing as many games as I can having been in and out of the team for the past two years.

“I still feel like I’ve got a lot to prove, not only to everyone else but to myself.”

While it is the hope of all who hold Warrington Wolves dear that Daryl Powell’s appointment will take the team to another level, there is a big hope that Ashton will be among the biggest beneficiaries of his arrival.

A more expansive style of play will be music to the ears of a player whose pace would see him outstrip most in Super League.

Getting the former Swinton flier into positions where he can use that deadly weapon will no doubt be a huge focus.

Matty Ashton is ready to hit the heights with Wire

“It’s been a breath of fresh air,” the 23-year-old said.

“It has been back to basics, particularly for me having had two big injuries in my two years here.

“Daryl’s been clear with what he wants from me and what he plans to do in terms of getting me into more space on the field.

“Based on what he’s said, it will be really good for me but it’s up to me to cement my place.

“If I can get more opportunities to use my pace, hopefully it will help the team to success.”

The aforementioned injuries and his struggles to get into the side ahead of the likes of Charnley, Stefan Ratchford, Tom Lineham and Josh Thewlis under Steve Price have meant his two years at The Halliwell Jones Stadium have yielded just 22 appearances.

However, the club clearly see there is a mercurial talent within Ashton and hence they tied him to a new long-term contract last year that runs until 2024.

By that point, Ashton may well hope to have established himself in his favoured position but for now, it is all about the wing – and maybe a Grand Final ring.

“Full-back may come around again further down the line but for now, I’m focused on nailing down a spot on the wing,” he said.

“There’s a lot that comes with that that I have to get right.

“We’ve set our goals and we’ll keep them in house, but we all know what’s been haunting us as a club.

“We’ll just take it week by week, hopefully rack up some wins and make ourselves the team to beat.”