Wakefield coach Kear keen to sign Cooke from Hull KR

Paul Cooke helped John Kear's Hull FC lift the Challenge Cup in 2005

Wakefield Trinity Wildcats coach John Kear remains confident that a deal can still be struck to bring Hull KR outcast Paul Cooke to Belle Vue.

The stand-off is frozen out at Craven Park despite having the remainder of the season to run on the deal he signed when he left Hull FC three years ago.

That has led to his old Hull boss Kear making an approach to sign the 28-year-old on loan for the rest of the season.

"He's a player I admire greatly. There are negotiations going on," said Kear.

"We would love to have him. And I think things can be worked out to Paul's advantage, Hull KR's advantage and Wakefield's.

"But it isn't a done deal yet," he added after Wakefield's 31-18 win against Rovers at Craven Park on Friday night.

The 28-year-old former Hull and Great Britain stand-off has already been dropped twice this season by Rovers coach Justin Morgan.

And Cooke is expected to join Kear's side until the end of the season, when his contract at Craven Park expires.

Cooke turned down a chance to join Welsh outfit Crusaders in the close season. But a move to Wakefield would reunite him not only with Kear, but his former Hull half-back partner Danny Brough.

Cooke, playing at loose forward, scored the late try, to which Brough added the conversion, that earned Kear's Hull their 25-24 win over Leeds in the 2005 Challenge Cup final at the Millennium Stadium.

The former England international then stunned the rugby league world with his cross-city move from Hull to Hull KR in 2007. But he was subsequently handed a four-month ban after being found guilty of making an illegal approach.

Meanwhile, young prop Ben Gledhill has signed his first deal for the Wildcats.

Gledhill is a former England Under-18 international

The former England Under-18 international has signed on a two-year full-time contract.

Gledhill, 20, rated one of Yorkshire's top youngsters, played for Westgate Redoubt as an amateur before signing for the Castleford Tigers as a 17-year-old.

He joined the Wildcats on a part-time professional basis during the winter but has now been handed a full-time deal - and could help fill the gap left by the departure of hooker Terry Newton, following the cancellation of his contract after a two-year drug ban.

Wildcats head coach John Kear said: "This club is always in the market for top quality young players and Ben certainly falls into that category.

"He did well during pre-season training and in the trial games so we're delighted to bring him to Wildcats where he will become an important part of our squad."

Gledhill made his debut in his side's win at Craven Park after starting the night on the bench.