LANCE Hohaia will get the chance to put what has so far been something of a troubled year behind him when he comes off the bench for the Exiles against England tomorrow night.

The Kiwi international utility player, who missed Saints’ win over Bradford on Sunday, is expected to be interchange hooker against club mate James Roby for the clash at Warrington.

The 29-year-old former New Zealand Warrior was hailed as a marquee signing – expecting to play in the halves - when he joined Saints on a four-year deal at the start of 2012.

Although he had a long run at stand off last term, the shake up this year with Nathan Brown at the helm has seen Hohaia fail to play three successive games in the same spot, flitting from the bench, to hooker, stand off, scrum half, full back and then, when injuries struck, centre.

His own niggling injuries have also played a part in what has been something of a dip in form from the man with World Cup and Four Nations Final winners medals tucked away in his top drawer.

But the constant change of position and then seeing loan players called in ahead of him must have had something of a dispiriting effect.

But Hohaia is keen to get out there on Friday night and show what he has to offer – and that may spark a return to form in a Saints shirt.

Hohaia said: “I expect to play hooker – I have played there at representative level for the Kiwis and there last year, against Robes, for this Exiles side. I know what is expected and want to get out there and do it the best I can.

“Robes has come straight in after injury he is a class player – one of the best in the world and tough competitor.”

The temporary change in environment may be just the tonic Hohaia needs to help rejuvenate his season that has seen many observers cast doubts about his role in the team.

If he is not seen as a long term half back for the club, the other positions he has played mostly in the NRL – full back and hooker – are covered by Saints’ two best players which could leave him flitting around.

Hohaia said: “Playing the role I have this year has been a little frustrating at times. I have had a couple of injuries, too.

“Last year I was able to get a lot of games and stay in one position and that really helped my game.

“This year has been different and I have had a few different niggles to deal with.

“The injuries overall have changed the dynamic of the team as well. Having a new coach, and having those other things, we have been trying to figure out what suits the team best.

“We are slowly getting there but there is still a fair way to go.

“Everyone has their opinions and the new coach obviously has his of me as a player. At the moment we are working through where best suits me in the team.

“I am happy to do that and just want to carry on working hard.

“I knew when I left New Zealand that this could potentially happen.

“It is hard for coaches not to see me as utility because that is what I have done basically all of my career.

“It is just a matter of working through those and seeing if I can finally settle in.”

Hohaia gives an honest appraisal of his own form – but he has not been the only member of the team falling down this season, hence the recent run of seven defeats in eight matches.

But nobody is writing off the year yet, not least the quietly spoken New Zealander.

“The year we have had do far has been highly disappointing for the club. For whatever reason, mainly through injuries, we have not been able to get the team combinations going.

“You can’t help injuries but looking forward I’d like to think we can kick on.

“We did it last year, there’s not many games to go, but they are all big games with points at stake and pressure on us to do well, but I am confident we can do that.

“I definitely think we missed having Jonny Lomax and Robes – having great players around you helps your game.

“We missed those two key players for as long period of time – they are key positions and key players and fair to say we struggled a lot without them.

“We have been playing against some tough teams. We have them back on board so hopefully we can string games together and get the combinations going,” Hohaia said.