SAINTS welcome back a trio of internationals when they travel to face Huddersfield Giants tonight at John Smith’s Stadium (8pm).

Sione Mata’utia and Konrad Hurrell return from the two-match bans handed to them from the Leeds game, while Will Hopoate is lined up to play his first Super League game of the year after missing since the World Club Challenge win with a hamstring issue.

Saints are without the banned Morgan Knowles, after losing the appeal against the one-match suspension for a late tackle.

Jake Wingfield, who has had a solid start to the year, is missing the game too - so James Bell will slot in at 13.

Centre Ben Davies, who gave a brave, try-scoring stint against Hull, is ruled out for up to sic weeks with ankle ligament injuries.

Mark Percival, who pulled up ahead of the Hull game, was a doubt with a tight calf - but has been named in the squad.

On Hopoate’s return, Wellens said: “Will is back in full training and moving really well and integrated fully with the team.

“He probably could have played last week but we took the sensible option of keeping him out.

“We have Will Hopoate, Sione Mata’utia a Konrad Hurrell all back.

“It is a big boost for us,” he said.

Ian Watson’s Huddersfield are a tough team to face - given they are the sort of side that kicks into the corner and makes sides work hard to get out of tight spots.

Wellens said: “They are a very attritional and workmanlike side - and they are as patient a side that there is in Super League, they are happy to wait and stay in the set-for-set grind for as long as possible.

“It is commendable when a team commits to playing that way and we are quite similar ourselves - and it makes for a tough game in that respect."

St Helens squad v Huddersfield Giants.

St Helens 21-man squad: 1. Jack Welsby, 2. Tommy Makinson, 3. Will Hopoate, 4. Mark Percival, 5. Jon Bennison, 6. Jonny Lomax, 7. Lewis Dodd, 8. Alex Walmsley, 9. James Roby, 10. Matty Lees, 11. Sione Mata’utia, 14. Joey Lussick, 15. Louie McCarthy-Scarsbrook, 16. Curtis Sironen, 17. Agnatius Paasi, 19. James Bell, 22. Sam Royle, 23. Konrad Hurrell, 25. Tee Ritson, 30. George Delaney, 34. Wes Bruines.