SKIPPER Chris Joynt has given Saints a massive and timely boost by agreeing a new deal which will keep him with the club until 2004.

Great Britain international Joynt has been one of the club's longest serving and most consistent performers over the last nine seasons and over the past two years has led Saints to unprecedented levels of success - two Super League Grand Final victories, the World Club Championship and a Challenge Cup success.

The news will bring a massive sigh of relief from supporters, who had watched the contract negotiations drag out for the past 12 months, with a number of rival clubs circling for one of Saints' prized assets.

Joynt said: "It is a massive boost for me and it is good to get a few years security under my belt. The offer has been there for 12 months and I just thought there was no rush in signing.

"I would not have signed if it had not been the right deal for me - I would have just fired it off. You can be here for so long that you feel taken for granted - you have to play here to know how the club works! But it has worked out well and I am just relieved it is over.

"I am at the peak of my career, I am fit, playing good rugby and just happy to be associated with the most successful team in the competition. "It is all down to the individual at the end of the day - if you can perform consistently well, you get rewarded with contracts. I have done that with Saints - I don't miss many games and keep fit."

The 29-year-old joined Saints in 1992 from Oldham and has scored 107 tries from 297 games. Meanwhile David Fairleigh, Saints' outstanding former Australian Test prop, who last week announced his decision to retire at the end of the season, is out for the sudden death elimination semi-final at Hull on Friday (8pm).

Fairleigh has still not recovered from the shoulder injury he picked up in the first minute of the Super League game against Leeds three weeks ago. Coach Ian Millward said: "He has been out training today (Tuesday) and was like a kid trying to join in, but he was in real pain when he tried to pass the ball.

"This was a pretty horrific injury he picked up and this influenced his decision to retire."

Fairleigh, 31, who joined Saints from Newcastle Knights with Peter Shiels this season, has been in tremendous form and recently agreed to stay at Knowsley Road next year.

Millward added: "It's a big blow because David has been an outstanding player and an inspiration to his team-mates.

"He's given his all to Saints, but I can appreciate his decision to retire. He says his body has had enough."

Saints expect to field an unchanged squad for the daunting visit to the Boulevard.