IMPACT player has become one the most over used buzz-phrases in rugby league since the transformation of the substitution laws two seasons ago.

All of a sudden the emphasis is on the player who is going to bust that extra tackle or sneak the offload which will pull increasingly stingy defences out of shape.

But despite this fixation there is still a place for the out and out grafter in rugby league - and Mike Bennett is hoping to carve out his niche in the side after a miserable 2004.

Injury wrecked the early part of his season - which was doubly painful given the way Saints were playing early on.

Bennett explained: "Last year was a little frustrating for me. I started off in the team - but I broke the bottom of my thigh bone in only the second game of the season at Bradford.

"That put me out for effectively the first four months of the season and after that I was playing catch up, trying to get back into the team and getting fitness levels back up.

"It was really frustrating because I had put all the work in pre-season and all you want to do come February is play rugby.

"But I suffered that blow and it was back to square one. It was hard and even though I was with the lads when they went down to Cardiff, you are in this game to play in Challenge Cup finals not watch them. I was very pleased for the lads, but sad not to be part of it."

With the exit of Chris Joynt and Tim Jonkers, Saints have lost two of their hardest grafters.

But that has not relaxed the competition for places with young James Graham, Jon Wilkin and Lee Gilmour vying for second row spots.

For the past few seasons Saints have tended to use their left hand sided second rower as a fresher runner, whilst the right hand man defends as an extra prop. That latter role, vacated by Joynt, is one Bennett can see himself aiming for.

"I may not be as explosive as some second rowers, but my strength is my workrate and defence. I like to be on long minutes because I believe I get more out of myself by being out there as a constant. I prefer to let the impact players to come on and off to get their rest," said the 24-year-old.

Bennett is probably a rarity in rugby league circles - there can't be many, if any, forwards on the Super League circuit with a degree in chemistry.

And for Bennett, a try-scorer in the 2002 Grand Final win over Bradford, the secret to regaining the success at Saints is not based on rocket science.

"I need to get back to playing week in week out again. I have two years of my contract to run and just want regular rugby.

"In some aspects of my game I am still learning really, and although I think my defence is pretty sound I am working on my attack.

"I am trying to be more elusive and develop an offload. I have enjoyed pre-season, I am just looking forward to putting into practice," Bennett said.