Paul Cooke

Age: 28

Date of Birth: 17th Apr 1981

Place of Birth: Hull

Position: Stand-off

PROFILE:

Forget footballers, Cooke is probably Hull's most high-profile sportsman.

He joined Rovers in an amazing cross-city move in April 2007, having previously been one of the longest serving players at Hull.

Has become an influential figure in Rovers' progress in the last two seasons, capped with a series of super displays against his former club to take Rovers into a 7-3 lead in derbies.

Dictates play, good organiser and has one of the best long passing games in the Super League.

Totally committed, ambitious and has that knack of producing crucial match winning performances as he proved with his try in Hull FC's Challenge Cup in win 2005. He's also an excellent goal kicker.

However, making the headlines off the pitch have overtaken his achievements on it. Banned for the first six matches by the RFL for making an illegal approach to Rovers and sensationally dropped for the KC derby in July amid rumours he had played his last game for the club.

He was recalled for the 40-16 defeat by Harlequins on August 11 and, despite still being repeatedly linked with moves away - including rumours of a switch back to the KC - he is a key part of Morgan's plans to continue Rovers' progress.

STATS

2009: 20 appearances, 5 tries

2008: 22 appearances, 2 tries, 56 goals

2007: 14 appearances, 1 try, 36 goals, 2 drop goals

2008 Opta stats: Appearances 19, Tries 1, Try assists 13, Goals 40, Drop Goals 0, Meters 814, Carries 171, Tackles 339, Offloads 22, Attacking Kicks 68, Runs from dummy half 11, Tackle Busts 13, Marker tackles 29, Clean Breaks 3, Forty twenty 0, Kicks in general play 110, Missed goals 13, Missed tackles 24, Errors 11, Penalties 18, Red cards 0, Yellow cards 0

PREVIOUS CLUBS

Hull FC