RYAN Atkins believes that pulling out of England’s Four Nations internationals at the end of 2011 was the right thing to do for his Wolves career.

The explosive centre, who punched holes in the fiercest defences in Super League last season, said he wanted to make sure his body was right to deliver the same and more in 2012.

“My wrist was pretty much hanging by a thread,” he revealed.

“I am hoping that by having not played in the internationals it means that I will avoid having to have surgery on it either in pre-season or beyond.”

Not extending his season with England duty also means his preparations for the new campaign were not delayed, because it is the norm for representative players to return for training later than the rest.

“So it will be good for my body and good for Wolves,” said Atkins.

And that is good news in a season when Wolves have lost Matt King to South Sydney Rabbitohs and need players to step up to the plate to compensate for the Australian’s loss.

Atkins and King were regularly partnered together in a formidable left-side partnership that also consistently featured back rower Louis Anderson, who is now plying his trade with Catalan Dragons.

Chris Riley, Rhys Williams, Rhys Evans and Simon Grix have also shone outside and inside of Atkins, while new arrivals Trent Waterhouse and Stefan Ratchford can do their business there.

And there are players from last season’s successful under 20s squad waiting in the wings for their chance, too.

“I think this year we will really see one of the younger lads step up and make the spot their own,” said 26-year-old Atkins, who aims to reproduce form that will force himself back into contention for England this year in advance of the 2013 Rugby League World Cup.

“Kingy is a great player and everyone is always saying that we will miss him,” said Atkins.

“Of course any team that loses a player of Matt’s calibre will notice it, but it isn’t always a bad thing because it just opens up a spot for someone who was waiting for their chance.

“You have to take the positives from a situation and though Kingy will be missed it will give someone else a chance to shine.”

With King facing his old teammates in Saturday’s clash with South Sydney Rabbitohs in Australia, the centre’s departure caught the headlines more than that of hard-hitting second rower Anderson. But the loss of the 26-year-old New Zealand international’s dominant bruising presence on the left will need to be countered, too.

“I am not looking forward to coming up against him, that is for sure,” said Atkins. “He is another player who would be missed from any team and is a great signing for Catalan.

“But we move on and we have a new signing in big Trent Waterhouse.

“We all know how good he is.

“You don’t get to represent Australia and New South Wales without being a top player and I am sure he will do a great job.

“You cannot dwell on the players who are no longer here.

“We have to look forward.”