Young Wakefield halfback Connor Bailey has hailed the mentoring of the man he is trying to replace in the Trinity team.
The need for hip surgery means Danny Brough has potentially played his last match for the club before moving to Bradford on a two-year deal at the end of the season.
And Wakefield coach Chris Chester has already flagged up Bailey, 19, and Ryan Hampshire as the most likely to challenge for the 37-year-old’s shirt one the season resumes.
The Shaw Cross Sharks product signed a three-year contract in 2019 after coming through Trinity’s development system and playing for the Yorkshire Academy side.
Bailey has caught Chester’s eye in the Reserves, and with the second-team competition on ice, he is particularly keen to claim a first-team debut.
“I’m not taking anything for granted, and there’s a lot of hard work ahead, but to hear the coach mention my name like he did was a boost,” he said.
“It’s disappointing that the Reserve league has been suspended, because it was a great learning curve for me.
“But obviously my aim is the first team, and I feel ready if the chance comes along, so I’ll get my head down and train as hard as I can.”
Bailey has also played loose-forward and in the centres, but explained: “While I’d happily play anywhere, I see myself most as a stand-off.
“It’s a position I enjoy playing, and having been able to watch Broughy in matches. Training alongside him has been brilliant.
“Sometimes you just have to stand back and admire the things he can do, and he’s been great in passing on tips and advice.”
Bailey believes that a suspension of relegation for this season could give him a better opportunity of figuring.
“Sometimes young players need a run in the side to find their feet, and that’s more likely to happen if no team is getting demoted,” he said.
Trinity’s first match back is against Wigan at Leeds’ Emerald Headingley on Sunday, August 9.
