SAINTS have agreed a long-term deal to use Ruskin Drive sportsground as their training base.

Ruskin Leisure confirmed agreements have been made for the super league squad to use grass and synthetic surfaces for training.

An indoor training and rehabilitation centre will also be built at the site of the former squash courts, meaning the Pilkington Squash club has had to relocate.

No details of the number of years Saints have signed up to train there, or the rent they will pay has been disclosed.

However, a Ruskin Leisure spokesman said: "This represents an important and significant boost to the long-term financial security of Ruskin Drive and offers great facilities for the rugby team."

Catering staff at the Dentons Green leisure facility will also be tasked with meeting the dietary requirements of the squad.

A statement from Saints' football manger Kel Coslett read: "We have been using the Ruskin Drive facility for some time now and we are very pleased to have secured this long term deal."

Ruskin Leisure, meanwhile, claimed the squash courts had closed because dwindling membership meant the facility was no longer "financially viable".

The company says in its heyday the squash club player membership stood at 300, but that has declined to around 30.

Robin McIntosh, chairman of the Pilkington Squash club said: "I am disappointed and feel we've been let down. It is unfair to blame costs when you think how much it must costs for the upkeep of the sports grounds and the cricket fields."

He added, that with no permanent base, it remains a possibility the club may fold.

Meanwhile, Pilkington Recs amateur rugby league club has rejected the chance to re-locate at Ruskin Drive.

Pilkington plc want to build houses on Recs' historic City Road pitches and offered the amateurs the chance to move to a redeveloped sports ground in the coming years.

Club officials from the amateurs are negotiating with developers to try and find a new ground.