NEW Saints recruit Ben Barba arrived in the England on Saturday and began training today.

The NRL superstar, who has signed for Saints on a two-and-a-half year deal, is currently serving a 12-match suspension.

Barba has served four of those games but will be available in late August unless the club are successful in their appeal.

Saints are appealing the transfer of the ban from NRL to Super League on the basis that the Australian comp have stated that he must serve the suspension on his return to the NRL.

And further to that, had the offence been committed in the UK then there would have been no ban for non-performance henancing drugs taken out of season.

In the meantime the full back or stand off is free to link up and train with his new teammates.