Carnegie Challenge Cup fifth round - Huddersfield v Warrington
Venue: Galpharm Stadium Date: Saturday, 8 May Kick-off: 1430 BST
Coverage: Live on BBC One and the BBC Sport website; Score updates on BBC Radio 5 live & the BBC Sport website  Brown has been an important figure for the Giants this season
The Challenge Cup has not been the kindest competition to Huddersfield stand-off Kevin Brown, but he hopes that 2010 will be the year that his fortunes change. The 25-year-old limped out of last year's final after suffering damaged medial knee ligaments and could only watch on from the sidelines as the Giants lost 25-16 to the Warrington Wolves. It was another final defeat for Brown who was on the losing side for Wigan against St Helens in the 2004 decider and was Cup-tied two years later as Huddersfield were beaten by Saints at Twickenham. One of the most heartbreaking sights of last year's final was Brown on crutches in Wembley's post-match interview zone trying to articulate his feelings on yet another disappointment. "My dreams have been shattered," he said back then. "I've gone from one of the best days of my life to definitely one of the worst. I just want to go to bed and come back stronger." Brown has certainly come back stronger this season, becoming one of the Giants' star performers and he is being tipped for an England call in Steve McNamara's first game in charge against France next month. But first he knows he has to concentrate on a rematch with the Wolves in Saturday's fifth-round tie with the Giants keen to make amends for their Wembley defeat. "I know it was a disappointment to have been injured in the final and missing the end of the season, but it could have been a blessing in disguise for my form this year," Brown told BBC Sport. "It allowed me to have a really good pre-season and get my fitness up and I think the hard work that our conditioner Mark Andrews did with me is the reason why I am in good form at the moment. "The injury was unfortunate but it is behind me now and hopefully we can have another good run this year and I can play a big part in that."  | Nathan Brown has brought a whole new array of aspects to my game which I had never realised before and is probably the most important person in my career so far Huddersfield stand-off Kevin Brown |
Brown's influence was badly missed after he went off in the final and also as the Super League season reached its climax with the Giants, who finished third, losing to both St Helens and the Catalans Dragons in the end-of-season play-offs. After coming so close to winning a major trophy last season, the Giants are challenging on both fronts again and Brown's tricky handling skills and kicking game have been causing plenty of problems for opposition defences. He set up four of his side's seven tries in their 40-12 win over fellow Super League side Hull KR in the last round and with Brett Hodgson sidelined by injury, he has captained his side over the last two weeks and is looking forward to Saturday's encounter. "We played Warrington in the league at the end of February and they beat us by four points (14-10). It was a real arm wrestle and this game will be another massive occasion and one for the fans to look forward to," he said. "Having been involved last season, you know how big an occasion the Challenge Cup final is. "I've been lucky enough to play in a few finals so I know how big they are and I've watched some as a spectator so I know what they mean to the fans, and the history involved." The build-up to the game has been partly overshadowed by the news that full-back Hodgson will be leaving the club at the end of the season for Warrington and speculation remains over the future of coach Nathan Brown, but his playing namesake hopes that the former St George Illawarra coach will remain at the Galpharm Stadium. "Nathan is probably the most important person in my career so far," he admitted. "He has been brilliant for me and I know a lot of the others on the team will say that and he has been a massive success story for the club. Highlights - Warrington clinch Challenge Cup "It's all speculation about his future but as long as he is here I will try to get every bit of information I can off him to benefit me and help me progress as a player because once he is gone that will go. "I've had really great coaches and Mike Gregory helped me a lot at Wigan but in terms of my development as a footballer, Nathan has brought a whole new array of aspects to my game which I had never realised before. "He talks to me about being consistent and doing things well consistently and putting yourself in the right position and if you keep doing that you will keep performing." But despite enjoying the best form of his career and with his coach, among others, predicting an international call-up, Brown is refusing to get carried away. "I just want to keep playing well for the team and doing my job for Huddersfield and I'm sure if I do that then the recognition will hopefully follow," he said. "I know I'm playing well but I'm not getting carried away and thinking I should get called up by England. There are other good players out there and Steve McNamara will pick the best man for the job but hopefully my name will be in the mix. "If your form is consistent you are showing you can do it but hopefully we can achieve something special here."
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