AUSSIE forwards David Fairleigh and Peter Shiels are set to make their debuts when Saints entertain Salford Reds in a friendly on Friday, kick-off 7.30pm.

Both formerly played for Newcastle Knights and Fairleigh, who stands 6ft 4in and tips the scale at 17 stone, is a former Kangaroo who comes on a one-year contract.

Prop Wayne McDonald and hooker Mick Higham will also make their first appearances for Saints at Knowsley Road, and Kevin Iro, Tommy Martyn, Keiron Cunningham and Sean Long return after missing the defeat at Wigan.

Admission charges are £9 and £3 and transfer to the stand is also £3. Vouchers issued to schools will be valid.

Meanwhile, Saints have parted company with physiotherapist Janette Smith after12 years in the post.

Club chief executive Malcolm Kay said: "Following consultation with coach Ian Millward, the board decided that, given the requirements of modern day sport, a full-time physiotherapist be employed.

"Janette was informed of the terms of the position but, bearing in mind her other business interests, felt she could not fulfil the full-time position for the money available. This led to Janette leaving Saints, and we thank her for the role she played in our success and wish her well for the future.

However, Janette Smith commented: "The club expected me to virtuallly double my hours for a part-time wage agreed with David Howes six years ago. I am very disappointed by the unprofessional way the matter has been handled and sorry it has ended in this manner.

"But I would like to thank players and staff for their messages of support."

In the meantime, Mike Stabler has stepped into the breach in a temporary capacity.

Saints will again step into a new season without a number six in their squad after superstitious stand-off Tommy Martyn once more opted to wear the number 20 jersey.

Martyn hasn't played in the six shirt since suffering a serious knee injury while playing for Ireland against France in 1997. Peter Shiels will wear the number eight shirt and David Fairleigh takes over at number 10. Wayne McDonald dons the number 14 jersey, while Mick Higham sports number 24.

The complete squad lines up as follows: 1 - Paul Wellens, 2 - Sean Hoppe, 3 - Kevin Iro, 4 - Paul Newlove, 5 - Anthony Sullivan, 7 - Sean Long, 8 - Peter Shiels, 9 - Keiron Cunningham, 10 - David Fairleigh, 11 - Chris Joynt, 12 - Sonny Nickle, 13 - Paul Sculthorpe, 14 - Wayne McDonald, 15 - Tim Jonkers, 16 - Vila Matautia, 17 - Steve Hall, 18 - John Stankevitch, 19 - Anthony Stewart, 20 - Tommy Martyn, 21 - Dwayne West, 22 - ?, 23 - Mike Bennett 24 - Mick Higham, 25 - Mark Edmondson, 26 - ?, 27 - Bryan Henare.

A fund-raising mixed dinner will be held at Saints on Saturday, January 27, starting at 7.30pm. Speakers are Ray French and Ian Millward and comedian is Dusty Young. Tickets cost £20 from Jimmy O'Sullivan on 28148 and Joe Spencer on 615765.