Toronto could ask for salary cap dispensation

Toronto coach Brian McDermott says the Wolfpack are working closely with the RFL after admitting they are at their salary cap limit.

The Wolfpack have just 23 players in their squad ahead of their maiden season in Super League, one of which – Greg Worthington – will start the campaign on loan at Championship side Featherstone.

Speaking after the 16-10 win at Castleford on Sunday, McDermott said: “I’m very concerned about the squad depth. We’re on the cap and potentially breaching it – we’re working through some processes at the moment as it’s live to make sure we’re OK at the start of the season.

“We haven’t overspent and you don’t look at one salary and wince, thinking ‘he’s getting paid too much’.

“The big fella (Sonny Bill Williams) is obviously on a special deal but that’s irrelevant to the salary cap.

“We can ask for dispensation, we’re looking into it and the RFL are working with us closely.”

McDermott had just 18 players to choose from for the win in Michael Shenton’s testimonial.

Sonny Bill may be made to wait a while for his Super League bow, and he is expected to return home to New Zealand in the middle of February for the birth of his fourth child.

Jon Wilkin and Darcy Lussick are sidelined through injury, while Chase Stanley remains in Australia.