SAINTS are making significant strides towards securing two high calibre overseas signings as they begin planning early for the 2012 season – and possibly for life without James Graham.

The club’s recruitment process has been accelerated by Kyle Eastmond’s decision to switch codes, while there remains uncertainty over Graham’s future, with the prop again strongly linked with a move to Australia’s NRL at the end of the season.

It is understood Saints have identified a half back and a forward from Down Under who they want on board for next season and there could be some concrete news in the next few weeks.

Chairman Eamonn McManus is keen to ensure Saints go into their new £24m stadium at Peasley Cross with a squad steeled by top class additions.

A new playmaker will offset the loss of Eastmond and add depth in the half back positions.

And with the odds appearing to be lengthening on Graham remaining at Saints, strengthening the pack may also become a priority.

Coach Royce Simmons confirmed Saints have held extensive talks with Graham, who is being lined up by the Canterbury Bulldogs, according to the Sydney press.

Speaking this week, Simmons said: “I have sat down with him three times. He knows how much I want to keep him at the club, how much the other players, the board of directors and the fans want to keep him here.

“The only thing that will take him away from St Helens if he does go is that he thinks ‘I have got to have a go at the NRL’.

“If he goes it is just the same as Keiron Cunningham finishing in the sense that we have got to get on with life –and get someone to replace him if that happens.

“(And) If he challenges himself to the NRL I’m sure everyone here will shake this hand and away he goes.

“It is very hard to criticise someone who wants to go and have a crack at a big challenge. You can see the reasons but we don’t want him to go – and I say that a million times.

“We have made him a tremendous offer – as much as we can afford to do without affecting everyone else we want to keep.”

Simmons conceded the uncertain situation means Saints are having to consider potential replacements.

Meanwhile, Eastmond will again be left out of the Saints 19-man squad for the trip to Wrexham to face Crusaders, with Simmons continuing with the emerging half back partnership of Lee Gaskell and Jonny Lomax.

Simmons said the selection is purely down to form, adding that Eastmond has “trained well and there are no problems”.

However, the longer he remains out of the first team equation, the more speculation is likely to mount that he could head to Bath sooner rather than later.

Saints could be boosted for the Crusaders test by an earlier than expected return from injury for Jon Wilkin.

Wilkin required late-night surgery last week after a yard brush snapped and sliced his hand while he was sweeping up. The loose-forward suffered nerve damage but avoided injuring tendons in his hand.

It was feared he would miss another three weeks but he has trained and is back in contention.

Simmons added: "He will play heavily strapped and wear some kind of finger brace for quite a while."

However, the coach will be without Scott Moore (calf) while Paul Clough and Francis Meli remain sidelined.