Eager Jason Walton determined to make most of '˜last chance' with Wakefield Wildcats

SEIZE THE DAY: Wakefield Trinity Wildcats' Jason Walton, right. Picture: Tony Johnson

The former Batley Bulldogs centre/second-row was recently given a career lifeline by Wakefield Trinity Wildcats head coach Brian Smith in the shape of a 12-month contract.

It will be the third time he has attempted to make it in the full-time professional game and he knows it is up to him to grasp the opportunity when the top-flight competition gets underway in a fortnight’s time.

Leeds-born Walton first played Super League as a youngster with Salford City Reds in 2009 but failed to make the grade and, instead, joined Batley on a part-time contract in the second tier.

He quickly established himself as a player of decent pedigree, winning the Northern Rail Cup in his first campaign and reaching the Championship Grand Final in 2013, his last game before earning a return to Salford.

Walton, 25, featured heavily in his debut season back there but last year was a different matter and he ended up farmed out on loan to London Broncos before eventually being released.

“I signed for three years at Salford but it didn’t work out for various reasons,” he admitted.

“Brian gave me another chance to come back into Super League and I’m going to take it. It’s a big step up from the Championship. You have to be smart and I haven’t always been that.

“When I get my head on I reckon I am a good Super League player but just personal things have held me back like not really concentrating and I know I’ve got to stick at this. It’s definitely my last chance and that does drive me on.

“At Batley, I worked as a scaffolder and had to be up at 7.30 every morning and then go training at night so it was 7.30 ‘til nine most days. We did up to four nights with Batley and sometimes Saturday morning, too, so I know how much better being a Super League player really is.”

Meanwhile, Lee Smith – who had a second spell with Wakefield last season – will look to secure a deal with Hull FC this weekend.

The former England winger has been on trial there and Hull coach Lee Radford said: “To have a player of his quality come across your desk is pleasing.

“It’d be a stretch (salary cap) but there’s room to manoeuvre, I think. He’s impressed in training. The next step is putting a performance in Sunday (v Hull KR).”