NRL superstar Ben Barba, who started training with the Saints on Monday, will have his appeal against suspension heard next week.

Barba's presence is just the tonic Saints need as they seek to bounce back from a disappointing defeat last Friday at Huddersfield which leaves their top-four ambitions hanging by a thread.

Saints have lodged an appeal against Barba's 12-game ban, handed out by the NRL, being transferred to the British game.

Saints feel they have grounds for appeal.

One of those appears to be one statement that Barba must still serve the suspension, imposed after testing positive for cocaine at the end of Cronulla’s Premiership-winning 2016 season, once he returns to the NRL.

Secondly, had Barba been caught taking non-performance enhancing drugs out of season in the UK then no ban would have been handed out.

The RFL confirmed that Saints’ appeal had been lodged and that it will be heard by an Independent Operational Rules Tribunal at some point next week.

Although the RFL recognised the NRL ban the hearing will be take place under the governing body’s Operational Rules.

If that appeal  is unsuccessful Saints will be three games into the eights at the end of August by the time Barba becomes available.

In the meantime the full back, who has joined on a two-and-a-half year deal, has linked up his new teammates at training.

Saints coach Justin Holbrook was delighted to welcome him on board.

He said: “Ben Barba’s arrival lifts everyone; coaches and players and the club itself.

“Everyone involved is looking forward to having him here.”

The former Cronulla Sharks full back or stand off Barba, dubbed X-Factor on account of his dazzling off-the-cuff play, will join in most aspects of the team’s regular training straight away.

Holbrook added: “Ben can join in all the parts, and will do everything apart from, because he’s not in the 17, the captain’s run.

“He will be able to take part in 90 per cent of our training.”

After a few patchy weeks, Saints are in need of a tonic and the Saints boss is looking forward to seeing Barba sprinkle his magic on the team and give them another dimension.

“You have seen players at other clubs who have got that unpredictability and who play off -the-cuff stuff – like Ben Roberts, Rangi Chase, Albert Kelly and Danny Brough – it will be great to have someone like that.

“He has only had a week and a half off training, I know he has not played rugby for a while but he has still been training.

“If we are successful with the appeal I would be happy to play him as soon as possible so we will see how that goes,” Holbrook.

Barba, who had a short stay at Toulon RU terminated in May, flew in on Saturday.

He was looking forward to slotting into the team and making sure he is up to speed with the calls for when he does finally don the red vee on match day, Barba said: “I am enjoying being over here and getting stuck into training and looking forward to what is ahead.

“I have got a suspension at the moment but all I can work hard with the boys on the training paddock.

“I have a bit to catch up with the plays and work hard with the halves to build some combinations and then I will get to play some football.

“If I work hard, the flashy stuff will come off the back of that.”