THE injuries with which rugby league warriors carry on playing never cease to amaze - as former Warrington Wolves stand-off Kevin Brown reveals another.

Ex-England international Brown snapped ankle ligaments during Salford Red Devils' Challenge Cup semi-final win against The Wire last October and went on to play in the final against Leeds Rhinos behind-closed-doors at Wembley two weeks later.

He didn't play again last season and has since undergone an ankle reconstruction.

Strapping and pain-killing tablets helped Brown get through the game and he has no regrets about taking his place in the side.

“I was happy with my performance,” he said. “As long as I could get through the game pain-free and contribute, they were the only two reasons I would have regretted anything about the final.

Warrington Guardian:

Kevin Brown gets to grips with Leeds Rhino's Konrad Hurrell during the 2020 Challenge Cup Final at Wembley. Picture: SWpix.com

“Obviously the result wasn’t ideal but sometimes you lose in sport. I didn’t let my team-mates down, which would have been the worst possible feeling because we didn’t have a half-back on the bench.

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“I said to the coach I was fine and I got through the game. I was in a lot of pain at the back end but when you’re in a final it’s offset by the adrenalin.

“It was more after the game I struggled to be fair. The hardest bit was travelling home on the train, with the ankle swelling up, but I’d do it again a thousand times if I had the chance.”

Warrington Guardian:

Kevin Brown orchestrating Warrington Wolves in 2018. Picture: Mike Boden

Brown, who joined Salford from Warrington at the end of 2019, plans to squeeze as much as he can out of his 19th season in Super League, just in case it proves to be his last.

The 36-year-old playmaker, who began his professional career as a teenager with Wigan in 2003 before moves to Huddersfield Giants and Widnes Vikings, will be the oldest player in Super League in 2021.

“Apparently so,” he said. “I went from being young Kev to the oldest in the league. It’s something I’m sort of weirdly proud of and something I’m a bit gutted about.

“I don’t look the oldest and I feel great. I love competing, that’s all I’ve done since being five or six years old, so I’m going to squeeze as much as I can out of it because once it’s gone, it’s gone for good.”

Warrington Guardian:

Kevin Brown in Salford's official 2021 photo shoot. Picture: SWpix.com

Brown is now fully recovered from his ankle issues and eagerly looking forward to the Red Devils’ opening league game against champions St Helens in a fortnight’s time.

And Brown, who has lost in the Cup final with four different clubs, is hoping to get another chance to break his duck in 2021 but has not ruled out playing on in 2022.

“I’m going to see how I am a few months into the season,” he said. “I’ll see how my form is and how the body is feeling.

“There’s a very good chance it could be my last. I’m out of contract at the end of the year but I’m still loving it.

“I’m loving training and I’m loving trying not to look the oldest in the league. I want to contribute every week, I want to be on the team sheet every week, I don’t want to be getting rested or dropped. All these little battles I’m playing in my own head I’m loving.

“One of the good things about the off season being so long is I could get fully fit and have a good pre-season. I’ve not missed a session in eight weeks.”