SAINTS boss Justin Holbrook has been presented with his biggest selection headache since taking the helm in May.

The return to fitness of experienced scrum half Matty Smith and the fine form of young halves Theo Fages and Danny Richardson leave him with a big decision to make.

Smith went from being Saints’ match-winner against Salford, to getting an unfortunate poke in the eye that inflicted an horrendous torn eye-lid injury.

In the three games since then 20-year-old Richardson has stepped up to the plate and delivered three high quality performances; kicking well, offering a good pass selection and asking questions when taking on the line.

Holbrook said: “It is a good position to be in. We have needed the guys there to play well and they have done that.

“We have big decisions to make.

“Matty is training really well and it would be good to get him back in the squad and see how we go.

“It is a hard call to change what is winning to bring in a guy that has done the job for you.

“I have been happy with the way Danny has played the last three games and would be silly to put him out from that.”

Smith went from thr highs of becoming a father of newborn twins and kicking the winning drop goal againts Salford, one week to the misery of a freak injury which required two operations and seeing his place filled more than competently.

But his wealth of big match experience, particularly at this stage of the campaign make him a valuable leader in the squad.

Holbrook could use the fourth bench spot to accommodate one of those instead of carrying all big men like he did last week.

In other weeks he has gone with Tommy Lee, who rermains in the 19-man squad.

"Four big men on the bench may have worked against Wakefield, but it is not ideal.

“Sometimes you need a different tact so that fourth bench spot is always going to be up for grabs.

"That is always the one you can play around with and maybe we can do that this week,” he said.

Holbrook's nice selection headache is not likely to go away any time soon - and the fun will really start when it comes to slotting in suspended NRL superstar Ben Barba into the squad on September 1.