BEN Currie is entering unchartered territory.

Since bursting onto the scene as a rapid second rower who could not stop scoring tries, The Wire have always been keen to tie him down to lengthy contracts to put off potential suitors.

Indeed, after he passed the 20-try mark in 2016, he was rewarded with a four-year contract extension.

However, that deal will end after the upcoming campaign and after two years of injury hell, the 25-year-old knows there is a lot on the line.

"This season is huge for me," he admits.

"I’m in the final year of my contract so I know I’m playing for my job.

"I’ve never been in this situation before. In the past, I’ve been on four or five-year deals and have re-signed a couple of years in.

"Being injured for as long as I have, time has passed by and we are where we are now.

"It’s not playing on my mind too much. I’ll focus on my performances and if I do that, it will take care of itself.

"Last year was really good for me just to get back playing again, but I’m expecting to kick on this year and I’m confident that I will."

Warrington Guardian:

Currie is all smiles during pre-season. Picture by Mike Boden

When he last penned a new deal, Currie was one of the hottest prospects in English rugby league.

He offered something different to most back rowers and his knack for picking gaps was getting him into the upper echelons of the try-scoring charts.

An England debut was certain to follow in the 2016 Four Nations before disaster struck – an anterior cruciate ligament injury in a Super 8s clash with Wigan which took out the vast majority of the following season.

While he returned to help Wolves through a Middle 8s fight for survival and get that long-awaited England cap – helping them to a World Cup final in the process – it looked as though the worst was behind him.

Not so – same knee, same injury and another season was ended early in April 2018.

This time, there were doubts he would come back but once again, he did in March last year.

Having gone through 2019 largely injury free, the building blocks are in place again.

Warrington Guardian:

Ben Currie in action during 2019. Picture by Mike Boden

"Pricey (head coach Steve Price) probably gave me a bit of leeway last year, but I know I didn’t hit the high standards I set for myself," Currie said.

"This year, I want to pay back the coaching staff and the club for all the faith they have shown in me.

"I want to show them I am still the player I was."

He is still young enough to do just that – in theory, his best years should still be ahead of him.

Big steps have been taken in the close-season, both on and off the field.

Having started pre-season on day one for the first time in a long while, it was part of a vow to get himself in the best possible shape.

That was not the only vow he took – he also married fiancé Louise Kerwin in November.

Warrington Guardian:

Ben Currie and his new wife Louise

Even while on their honeymoon, though, Currie was determined not to abstain from his training.

"The honeymoon was no excuse. I kept on top of things," he said.

"We went to Jamaica so there was a lot of jerk chicken and salad.

"I wasn’t eating anything bad and managed to keep on top of my fitness.

"I’ve not had a full pre-season for three or four years now and it’s just what I needed.

"People think you’re lucky missing pre-season through injury because of how tough it is, but you really do feel the benefits if you join in from day one.

"I’m lean and I’m in the best condition I’ve been in for a long time, so I’m feeling really good."