Cameron King’s long wait for an NRL game is a lesson for all aspiring rugby league players, Parramatta coach Brad Arthur says.

King will end a 733-day exodus from first grade on Thursday when he starts in the No.9 jumper for the Eels’ crucial clash against Canterbury.

Arthur revealed on Wednesday he had wanted to give the 25-year-old King a shot last year but the club’s hands were tied because of their salary cap problems.

“He’s been waiting for 18 months now at our club,” Arthur said before the captain’s run.

“At stages at the end of last year we could’ve made a case to give him a run but because of where we’re at with the salary cap, we weren’t able to do that.

“He deserved his opportunity at the end of last year so he’s had to wait his chance and the time has come for him to aim up.”

King made his NRL debut at St George Illawarra in 2010 but has been limited to just 21 matches due to injury and lack of opportunities.

He made just four appearances before arriving at Parramatta at North Queensland in 2014-15.

“He’s had a lot of injuries and it just shows to any young footballer if they persist and keep working hard, at some stage the time will come,” Arthur said.

“They’ve just got to make sure that they haven’t been getting around kicking stones and then when their time comes, they’re not ready. I’m sure Kingy will be ready tomorrow night.

“When he came here in his first pre-season, he was right up there with (Clint Gutherson and Michael Gordon) for pre-season trainer of the year.”

The Eels are relying on King to provide the backbone of a spine that includes Gutherson and halves Mitchell Moses and Corey Norman.

Parramatta are eighth on the ladder – their highest mark at this stage of the season since 2014.

The Eels are favourites for Thursday’s encounter following injuries to key Bulldogs pair Greg Eastwood and skipper James Graham.

Canterbury sit in 13th spot and have lost five of their past six games.