Danny Brough believes Warrington halfback Dec Patton needs to leave the Wolves to fulfil his potential.
Brough named Patton as one of the most promising young halfbacks in the British game when asked who had caught his eye.
But 24-year-old Patton has yet to make a single appearance for Warrington this season and has dropped down the pecking order, with Gareth Widdop and Blake Austin ahead of him.
Brough, who made a name for himself at Dewsbury and York before hitting the heights of Super League with Hull FC, believes Patton needs to move quickly to ensure his career progresses.
“I thought a year or two ago Dec Patton was a quality player,” Brough said.
“But now he seems to have gone under the radar and he’s a wasted talent there. He’s playing in the reserves and rotting.
“He’s got a tough decision; does he want to push on or wear a Warrington tracksuit?
“It’s a difficult decision but one he needs to make quickly; he can’t have three years under Widdop and Austin, it’s a tough gig.
“He has been helping Widnes out, but if there’s an opportunity he should be pushing to get a move to another Super League club and lead a team.”
Brough’s praise wasn’t reserved just for Patton. The 37-year-old is also impressed by Castleford duo Jake Trueman and Danny Richardson, who he believes have a bright future.
“They’ve a great balance,” he said.
“I think Trueman is a very smart player; he always looks like he’s got a lot of time on the ball and he’s bigger than you think, he’s a stocky lad. And Richardson has got a great kicking game, while Daryl Powell has got him really going to line, sinking in then going out of the back; he looks like a good player.
“It’s a combo that can go a long way, I like what Powelly is doing with them.”
