SAINTS player of the year Morgan Knowles is relishing the prospect getting back into full contact training as he continues his rehabilitation from surgery on his thumb.

The 24-year-old Barrovian has been working on his ball skills and fitness - but expects to be joining the full squad in contact sessions in a few weeks.

And he is relishing being fully involved, after being excited by the fresh look of Kristian Woolf's squad.

Knowles said: "I had my thumb fused in the off-season and got it out of the cast last week so it getting there slowly now.

"I am doing a bit more ball work and it wont be too long before I am back training full contact with the full squad."

Knowles has been a key part of the team that won back-to-back Grand Finals, and is relishing the chance of a threepeat in 2021.

He will be part of a new-look back row, bolstered by the arrivals of NRL recruits Sione Mata'utia and Joel Thompson.

"We had a great year last season but we are enjoying being back now and looking forward to doing it again," he said.

"It feels fresh this season, with the new lads coming in and settling in really well."