ALL the Saints squad bar the Four Nations players have been back in pre-season train for weeks now, giving coach Keiron Cunningham chance to see how the new boys are integrating.

Although the club have promoted a significant number of youngsters at the bottom end of the squad, the 1-17 is now crammed with big game experience.

Cunningham is confident that all of his new additions will add real value to the squad as Saints seek their first silverware since 2014.

Although 30-year-old former Gold Coast Titans prop Luke Douglas has returned to Australia after his Four Nations stint and will get to work in the new year.

Cunningham said: “I have got a lot of time for Luke and what he can do for this club; he is a super guy and you see the rapport he has with the players already.

“He is one of those really likeable characters who is going to work hard and train well and embrace what St Helens is about.

“I worked hard to try and get him and it was a big decision for him to come. I was helped along by some friends in Australia who helped me get it over the line. And once he did I knew how committed he was going to be for the club.”

He also flagged up the importance of Matty Smith as the club’s new linchpin at seven.

“The best thing you can ask for in a half back is consistency. You look at the great halves and they are consistent.

“The flash in the pan halves who win you a game every six weeks are not going to take you anywhere. If you look at what Matty did at the end of last season he kicked Wigan into a Grand Final on his own.

“He will play our system well, even though we will play him a little bit differently than at Wigan.

“He is looking at good in training alongside Theo Fages — and that is before we get our outside backs running.

“Matty is quite durable and you know he is going to be playing plenty of games. We have got a real steady backbone,” Cunningham said.

Cunningham also explained the motivation behind signing of Tommy Lee from Salford believing the signing covers two key areas in covering for James Roby while the young nines in the top squad develop.

“We have got three really good young nines who are a season or so away from doing something, that has to filled for a season or two.

“I can’t keep playing James Roby for 80 minutes or we are just going to crush him.

“Tommy understands the game and is a good leader, who can play a lot of positions,” he said.

Saints have also added prop Adam Walker and centre Ryan Morgan, which has given Saints more maturity.

"Jon Wilkin was our biggest leader last year and he came in for a lot of criticism. I made a promise that I would bring more around him.

"We are now a strong team of leaders and our strength in depth rivals a lot of clubs.

"If you look into the 20s in the squad you see there are a lot who have played. There is lots of cvover, nobody’s place is nailed on and reputations will count for nothing with me. If they play well they will get a shot, jist like Morgan Knowles last year.

"He is going to be a season better and will be running round with Luke Douglas, Adam Walker, Big Al and Kyle – it makes for a better transition for that kid," he said.