VERSATILE back rower or centre Josh Jones looked like he was auditioning for the part of Jacob Marley from A Christmas Carol when he was bandaged up following Saturday’s head on meeting with Ben Pomeroy.

The Dragons player was sent off for the shoulder charge to Jones’ head, but after a quick patch up the strong running centre resumed with no ill effects.

Playing in the centres in place of Jordan Turner, chances are Jones will move back in to the back row or the bench again tonight when Hull provide the opposition.

He said: "My jaw is fine, I just got a bit of a cut.

"He caught me in a bad place and I needed stitches. I looked a bit of a melon out there with that bandage but we needed to stop the blood pouring out.

"It was a tough day at the office for us. We had our chances but didn't capitalise on them so we have to start again this week.

“It's a massive game for us and really it's semi final footy all the way to the Grand Final now. We are eager to get back out there and get the two points.”

Saints are in third place, breathing down the necks of Wigan who play Leeds tonight.

Saints are desperate to bounce back strongly to get their top four spot secured nice and early – and then move on to trying to secure a home semi.

They cannot afford another slip against a Hull side clinging to pure mathematical possibilities of extending their season.

Jones is a fan of what he has seen of the Super 8s so far.

"I like this system - it is good for players and fans as it gives us a drive to kick on. We are aiming for first place and we are confident we can get over this setback and get back on the horse. It's done now, we're three points off top spot and know we can make that up," he said.

This will, however, be Jones’ swansong in the red vee year with the 22-year-old earlier this year announcing that he would be switching codes to join Exeter to the end of the season.

He has business to finish off up here first, with the aim of emulating last year’s Grand Final success still strong.

He said: "My heart will always be in St Helens.

"Exeter will be a new chapter in my life but that hasn't started yet. Hopefully I will have some silverware to take back down there with me.

"The deal had been done for a while but it wasn't the right time for it to be announced earlier in the season as I wanted to keep my focus on what I was doing at the club. Obviously the staff knew but I wanted to keep my head screwed on and stay focused on what I wanted to do at Saints.

"I have family down in Cornwall so, as well as the challenge, I wanted to make a fresh start. If I was going to move out then it needed to be somewhere completely new.

"I have no doubt I will have to play a few games elsewhere to get back into the stride of the game.

"It was a life choice to make the switch and go down there and I am looking forward to it."