MATTY Smith looks set to be handed the chance to fill the hooker’s berth after James Roby was sidelined with rib cartilage damage.

Saints skipper Roby left the field with injury on Friday night against Hull and coach Justin Holbrook has ruled out his number nine – who was in outstanding form over the Easter period – for Sunday’s trip to Wakefield (3pm kick off).

The experienced Smith, 30, who has spent much of the season on the sidelines and has been linked with moves away from the club, replaced Roby in the second half and looked sharp around acting half back.

The length of Roby’s absence is not clear, however, Saints do have options in the hooking department, with Theo Fages also capable of slotting into the role.

Saints coach Justin Holbrook said: “I was pleased with how Matty went. He is a great player, we’re fortunate to have him there.

“It’s good to get Matty some game time. He has said all along he wants to play and it’s good there are a couple of guys who can play.

“Robes has rib cartilage damage. He won’t play this weekend and we’re not sure about next week at this stage.”

Speaking on Wednesday, Holbrook was welcoming players back into training after giving them four days off following the demanding Easter period, which saw Saints record three wins and strengthen their position at the top of the table.

He added: “We gave the players some days off – everyone did something different to freshen up. The boys were brilliant in all three games, winning a huge game against Wigan and then backing up against Widnes and Hull – I was really proud.

“But we’ve had a break and it’s time to move forward. Wakefield have been playing really well – they have some big forwards and strong outside backs. We’re aware we need to work hard and the good thing about this group of players is they are not naive.”

Ben Barba missed the win against Hull but has returned to training fit and well.

Holbrook said: “Ben Barba is fit to play. He had a virus last week and we nearly could have played him but it was better that he got himself right."

Saints head into Sunday’s clash with Wakefield four points clear of Wigan at the top of the Betfred Super League but Holbrook says there is much more to come from his squad.

“We know we can get better and are still working towards that,” Holbrook said.

“The playing group is really level headed here and are training well. We know we have hard games coming up but every time we run out on to the field I feel confident in what we have done during the week, and that is all you can ask for.

“We set high standards here, they live to those and that continued this week. We gave them four days off and when you come back in it can take some time to get back into it.

“But it was the opposite, we had to pull them back a bit and it’s this that gives me confidence every week.

“Although we are happy with where we are at, we have another tough opponent coming up on Sunday."