Matty Ashton backs Stefan Ratchford for Warrington Wolves centre role

The versatile veteran will wear squad number four in 2023, indicating head coach Daryl Powell may see him more as a centre for the new campaign.

That means he could find himself partnering up with Ashton, who finished as the club’s leading try-scorer in 2022 with 13 touchdowns from the left wing.

His displays amid a highly disappointing year collectively saw him jointly win the club’s player of the year award alongside George Williams, but the speedster insists there is much more to come from him.

“It was nice to get awards and things like that but in my head, I think I can do a lot better,” he told the Guardian.

“Personally, there’s more to me and obviously collectively, it was a very disappointing year. We have to put that behind us now and have a fresh start.

“I think I learned a lot about being a winger last year, especially defensively.

“There were mistakes but I can learn from them and take them into 2023. There’s plenty of room for improvement but I’m happy with the way I’m going.”

On a potential partnership with Ratchford, he said: “I think it will be class to play with Stef as my centre.

“We’ve got a really good relationship – he’ll skip outside a few people and he’s clever so hopefully he’ll put me away for a few.”

Stefan Ratchford is set for a role in the centres in 2023 following the departures of Toby King and Jake Wardle (Image: Mike Boden)

After missing the final weeks of the campaign, Ashton had post-season surgery to correct a niggling ankle issue in order to be ready for the start of pre-season.

It will be a much-changed squad he rejoins when the players gather but the 24-year-old is excited to see what happens.

“The surgery went well – it was just a clear-out of my ankle which was frustrating me through last year,” he said.

“I’m glad I’ve got it sorted and I’m ready to go again now.

“It’s going to be exciting to be back with there being a lot of new faces. There will be plenty of big bodies in there which we probably needed in many people’s opinions.

“It will be good to get together with a new group and put last year behind us.

“Pre-season is certainly challenging but it’s also exciting.

“You get the blow the cobwebs off at first and then see the progression in yourself through the months after the hard work.”

Matty Ashton in Wire's 2023 home kit (Image: Mike Boden)