By Julian Shea

Brough's hair and performances have caught the eye this year

But this season a rash of injuries to key players has seen the spotlight turned on the Scotland captain more than usual - and he has responded in spectacular fashion.

"If you took votes for player of the year at this stage of the season, Danny wouldn't be far off anybody's list," Wildcats coach John Kear told BBC Sport.

"He's a real X-factor player. If you're two or four points down and think 'who can win us this game?', you look at him and think he can pull something out of the bag."

Kear knows more than most just how much Brough can turn a game.

He was Hull's coach in the 2005 Challenge Cup final, when Brough's goal after Paul Cooke's late try earned the Airlie Birds a famous win over Leeds.

On Saturday, Kear and Brough return to the scene of that triumph, Cardiff's Millennium Stadium, as their current employers take on Castleford.

And once again Brough could have a big say in the outcome of the game.

Wakefield's season has been blighted by a string of injuries, most notably to the hugely experienced Brad Drew and Jason Demetriou, but Kear says Brough's skill has been instrumental in helping the team overcome them.

I think Danny's got a special haircut up his sleeve for Cardiff Wakefield coach John Kear

"Danny's kicking game is second to none in Super League or the NRL," he said.

"Technically he's great, but also his kicking selection shows intelligence and maturity.

"What's also come to the fore is his ability to organise and run a team, he's doing ours very well."

Although Kear is keen to point out the contribution of other players during the injury crisis, most notably Jamie Rooney and Sam Obst, it is Brough whose performances - and hair - have been particularly eye-catching this term.

"His demeanour and competitiveness helps him stand out from the crowd," said Kear. "He doesn't need any help but he gets it from his barber - and I think he's got a special haircut up his sleeve for Cardiff."

A Glasgow-born grandfather qualifies Brough to play for Scotland, for whom he is team captain.

Kear says he has benefitted from playing on the the international stage but has one regret.

Jamie Rooney (left) has captained Wakefield this season

"I know the Scots would disagree, but I wish he'd slugged it out with Rob Burrow for the starting number seven place in England side," said the former England coach.

"But you've got to respect his choice and support it because it's helped him mature."

Brough agrees Wakefield have profited from his experiences with Scotland.

"To captain a team is a privilege, but to captain a country is something else," he said.

"I do feel I have to be a leader, we've not got the pick of the crop like England, so we try to bring each other on.

"I play for Scotland to be a leader, I have expectations for myself which need to be high, and that has spurred me on to be a consistent performer week in, week out."

Kear's admiration for Brough is reciprocated by the player.

"People say he gets the best out of me," said Brough.

"He's a good coach and man-manager, he doesn't give you too much to do and spreads the work out which helps, but if he thinks a lot of me then that's all well and good.

"I just try and do the best for who I play for and who coaches me."

After an erratic and injury-disrupted start to the season, Wakefield have found a bit of consistency under the guidance of stand-in captain Rooney.

Kear will hope to have more reasons to smile on Saturday

And Brough says Wildcats fans have good reason to be optimistic ahead of Saturday's game against his former side Castleford.

"We've got a run of four wins in a row now, and we've not let in any second-half tries, so we pride ourselves on our defence," he said.

"We've got leaders in our side from 1-17, as we showed in the comeback against Harlequins (where they recovered from 6-20 down to win 24-20).

"A month ago we'd have lost that game, but now we know how to do the tough stuff with the easy stuff."

Castleford may be bottom of the table with just two wins this season, but the fact they came against Challenge Cup holders St Helens and world champions Leeds means the Wildcats will take nothing for granted on Saturday.

"Cas are a bit of a worry," admitted Kear.

"When their performances have been flat it's been against the lesser lights, when they've been outstanding it's against the likes of Saints and Leeds.

"Playing on the Cardiff stage will lift them, so we've prepared to play them at their very best."

After all, his experience with Hull in the 2005 Challenge Cup final means Kear knows all about how much the supposed under-dogs can be inspired by playing on the big stage in Cardiff.

And the memory of that late Cup-winning goal means he also knows all about what Brough is capable of doing as well.