John Paul Brocklebank is quietly earning a utility tag at Whithaven as he gets his season up and running.

Coming back from a groin strain he operated for an hour at Leigh, at both loose-forward and stand-off and on Sunday played for the whole game at hooker against London Broncos.

His coach James Coyle insists it’s a valuable all-round ability to have and would be equally happy to use him at scrum-half or centre.

“I was pleased with his contribution against the Broncos because he’s missed a few games this season with a groin strain and it’s good to have him back in the squad,” said Coyle.

“Obviously when you can slot into a variety of positions it makes you a valuable member of any squad,” he added.

Brocklebank, 25, is looking forward to a run in the side after an injury-plagued start to his professional career.

“It’s good to get back out there again playing for 80 minutes. I only played seven games last season after signing from Egremont and then had to have a shoulder reconstruction job.

“The shoulder is fine now but I picked-up a groin strain in the win at Sheffield and didn’t play until the trip to Leigh.

“My preferred position is stand-off and I enjoy it there but when you’re a professional you play where you’re old and I’m just pleased to be back again and getting a start,” he said.

Brocklebank picked-up the sponsor's man of the match award for the London game but Haven lost 16-12 and the former BARLA international would have felt happier with his award if the team had won.

“I think the game was there for the taking and it is definitely one we should have won.

“Our completion rates dropped dramatically in the second-half and we weren’t clinical enough in what we did near their line.

“Overall though I think we have a side which can give most of the teams in his League a good game.

“We are better than second bottom and if you take out Leigh and Bradford I think we can hold our own against any of the others,” he said.