SAINTS will hand a debut to Adam Quinlan – full back number seven – in Friday’s home game against Huddersfield Giants.

The 22-year-old Parramatta full back or half back flew over from Sydney at the weekend and arrived in St Helens on Monday.

Quinlan, who has also played in the NRL with St George, immediately slotted into the training session his new teammates.

Although he will take some time to get tuned in, with coach Keiron Cunningham explaining that he still does not know the players’ names, his arrival will be a boost for Saints at this stage of the season.

As well as having a recognised full back in the side, there is the added bonus of having Mark Percival restored to his natural centre berth to give the team more strike.

Cunningham said: “He trained with us on Monday straight off the plane and was insistent on that.

“He has fitted in well and is a natural full back.”

Saints will be hopeful that Quinlan bucks the injury curse that is now bordering on farcical having seen the five previous incumbents of the number one role struck down with serious or career-ending injuries.

This year Saints have lost Paul Wellens and Lance Hohaia to retirement and Jonny Lomax, Shannon McDonnell and Tommy Makinson to significant long-term leg injuries.