Wakefield Trinity boss Daryl Powell has explained the departure of three key players and revealed he expects some big names back on the field in tomorrow’s crucial home clash with Warrington Wolves.

Trinity this week confirmed veteran forward Jay Pitts, winger Lachlan Walmsley and half-back Mason Lino will all move on at the end of the current season. Walmsley and Lino are both in the final year of their deal, but Pitts is contracted until the autumn 2027.

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Speaking at his weekly preview press conference today (Friday), Powell revealed why Trinity decided to part company with 36-year-old Pitts. He said: “We signed Cam [Smith] from Leeds and we got Jazz [Tevaga] contracted and there’s a time for everything.

Jay Pitts on the ball for Wakefield Trinity against York Knights last week. Picture by John Clifton/SWpix.com.

placeholder image — Jay Pitts on the ball for Wakefield Trinity against York Knights last week. Picture by John Clifton/SWpix.com.

“I just think with our recruitment it was sort of a natural evolution of the way our team’s growing and developing.”

Admitting it was a tough decision, Powell stressed: “It’s how they always are, but I think you have to make those decisions at times for the growth of your team. Pittsy has been phenomenal - it’s one of those decisions that we made a while back and it’s just coming out now, obviously.”

Of Walmsley and Lino Powell said: “With Lachlan, I think he has done a great job; he wanted a Super League chance, he got it and he has done really, really well with it. We’ve got some really young outside-backs and it’s about just giving space for young players to develop. I just felt like it was the right thing to do.

“The difficult thing with Mason was we’d signed Jack [Sinfield] and we’ve got Myles [Lawford] there as a young half. Again, it’s space and it’s also a salary cap thing - you can’t keep everybody.

Lachlan Walmsley scores during Wakefield Trinity's win against York Knights last week. Picture by John Clifton/SWpix.com.

“Mason’s probably one of the cap decisions we had to make, in the knowledge we’ve got Truey [Jake Trueman] and Jack, who we feel is an outstanding player already, but is going to be a phenomenal player. Again, it’s just giving space for players within your squad.”

The departing trio will make what could be their final home appearance for Trinity in tomorrow’s BBC-televised fourth versus third Betfred Super League clash with Warrington. Isaiah Vagana, Tom Johnstone and recent recruit Emre Guler are all back in Trinity’s 21-man squad after injury and Powell confirmed: “There’s a good chance they’ll all play.”

He said: “We've trained today, everything looks all right with those guys so we’ve got a couple of additions from last week. Isaiah has been one of our better players. I think he has been consistently excellent all year, started the season really well and has maintained that strong form.

“Tom is an obvious one with his ability to break tackles and make things happen everywhere on the field and it’s just a good opportunity for Emre. He has spent a bit more time training with us and his family’s just got over now, which is great for him. They’re all good additions to the team and they’ll help make us stronger.”