Vowles will move to Belle Vue as a player-coach and will work under Roe's former assistant Shayne McNally, who has been promoted to a new position of football manager coach.

The club parted company with Roe last month and have since moved off the bottom of the table under McNally's caretaker stewardship.

But the appointment of former Castleford star Vowles comes as a surprise after he had only joined Leeds as a player this season.

The 31-year-old, Man of Steel in 1999, will join the club immediately and make his debut in the home clash with Hull tomorrow pending work permit clearance.

Vowles, who has signed until the end of the 2004 season, said: "I am happy to be joining the Wildcats.

"The chance to be involved in the coaching team at Wakefield was an opportunity I did not want to miss.

"I have been impressed with the Wakefield team this season.

"They have put in some tremendous performances and I am looking forward to playing with the team and moving from strength to strength.

"I am also looking forward to working with Shane and learning from him as we work together in the coaching team."