LEE Gaskell reckons Widnes boast the best stand-off in Super League in captain Kevin Brown.

The Bulls playmaker is due to return from injury for Sunday’s visit of the Vikings and has warned his team-mates to beware of the threat posed by Brown.

The former Wigan and Huddersfield man has proved a resounding success since joining Widnes ahead of the 2013 campaign.

Gaskell said: “Kevin Brown is a very good player and in my opinion has been the best stand-off in the competition in the past couple of seasons.

“He’s been fantastic for a number of years and I think he’s quite underrated too considering what he does for Widnes.

“Every time he plays, he stands out and he’s going to be massive for them this weekend.

“As a player, you set yourself goals to reach certain standards and if I can achieve what he’s done in the game, then I would be happy with that.

“But it’s not just Kevin Brown, they have plenty of quality throughout their side. I played against Joe Mellor as a young lad and he’s another fantastic half-back who is very underrated.

“Rhys Hanbury is a quality full back so we won’t take them lightly.”

Widnes are aiming to bounce back from their home defeat at the hands of Hull KR in round three of the Qualifiers.

The result came as a shock as Rovers fielded an understrength team with the Challenge Cup final in mind.

Gaskell, who missed the Bulls’ last win over Salford with the injury he sustained at Wakefield the week previously, is delighted not to be playing the Vikings on their notorious i-pitch.

He said: “Their home form is traditionally very good and, with their forwards rolling you down the pitch, it can be very tough at Widnes.

“But it’s at our place and I think we’ve got more than enough to trouble them. We’ve just got to stick to our game-plan.”

ROSS HEPPENSTALL