SAINTS boss Justin Holbrook has praised the attitude of former test player Matty Smith, who has found himself sidelined so far this term.

In the three Super League games so far this season Holbrook has gone with the Jonny Lomax-Danny Richardson combination in the halves, leaving the experienced scrum half as 18th man.

He is not the only one to have missed out so far, but with the team winning and relatively injury-free it is hard for those outside to break in.

Holbrook said: "It is tough for the guys who are missing out because they want to play.

"They have been great – Matty Smith has been fantastic for us at training. He definitely wants to play but his attitude has been brilliant.

"It is important that they are playing.

"It does not matter if you are being paid or not, players want to play.

"To train and not play is terrible for anyone, and I do want everyone to get a game."