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Justin Morgan hopes new loan signing Matty Brooks from Bradford will take the pressure off two of his key players in the run-up to the National League One Grand Final.
Morgan, currently preparing his team for the high-profile Challenge Cup clash with St Helens on Saturday, has been tracking former Embassy Longhill player Brooks, 19, since the Aussie took over at Rovers towards the end of last season.
With top spot more or less guaranteed for Rovers, [Paul Lakin] expects Brooks to get plenty of opportunities to show coach Morgan what he can do.
Justin Morgan hopes new loan signing Matty Brooks from Bradford will take the pressure off two of his key players in the run-up to the National League One Grand Final.
Morgan, currently preparing his team for the high-profile Challenge Cup clash with St Helens on Saturday, has been tracking former Embassy Longhill player Brooks, 19, since the Aussie took over at Rovers towards the end of last season.
And he is delighted his policy of targeting young Hull-born players has paid dividends.
"I'm absolutely delighted we have Matty on board," Morgan told the Mail.
"I've been tracking him since I arrived here in England as he's a local lad from Hull.
"I've kept a track on all the players from Hull playing in the Super League because you never know if they want to return to their home city.
"He'll have good schooling behind him from his time at Bradford under Brian Noble and Steve McNamara."
Brooks has been brought in on loan to add cover to the half-backs.
His arrival will allow Morgan to rest either James Webster or Scott Murrell during the run-in to the end of the season, both of whom have played plenty of rugby.
"He'll give us options at half-back," said Morgan.
"He's a live-wire who is a great runner. He also has a good kicking game.
"He's played a lot for the under-21s, which is very competitive and I believe he'll make the step up to National League One without any fuss."
Rovers chief executive Paul Lakin was equally pleased to have captured the signature of the promising scrum-half.
"We're glad to have finally got Matty on board," Lakin told the Mail.
"I'd like to thank Steve McNamara for his co-operation, particularly as he is a player we have enquired about several times.
"It was important and pleasing to get the deal done before the transfer deadline."
With top spot more or less guaranteed for Rovers, Lakin expects Brooks to get plenty of opportunities to show coach Morgan what he can do.
"Matty will get plenty of game time over the next month as our league position will allow us to rest several players who are carrying niggling injuries," said Lakin.
Brooks is the second new arrival at Craven Park in recent weeks, following Jon Whittle's arrival two weeks ago.
Brooks has come to east Hull in search of first team action, having played back-up to Paul Deacon all season.
Rovers fans will get their first sight of Brooks in the re-arranged league fixture against York City Knights on Wednesday.
Links
Hull KR
www.hullkr.co.uk
Bradford Bulls
www.bradfordbulls.co.uk
Copyright Northcliffe Electronic Publishing Jul 27, 2006