JAMIE Lyon will make his home debut next Wednesday (February 2, 8pm) when Saints take on Hull in aid of Keiron Cunningham's Testimonial fund.

Although most of the pre-match publicity has revolved around the appearance of town comedian Johnny Vegas for a brief spell after the final whistle, the preceding 80 minutes promise to be anything but a joke.

And because the atrocious weather limited much of what coach Ian Millward wanted to try out on the attacking front last week at Widnes, Wednesday's game will take on an even greater significance.

It is the last game the first team will play before Super League X gets under way.

Tickets for the game are now on sale, and there are price reductions for those bought in advance.

Definitely not be playing in that game is prop Keith Mason, who has been ruled out for six weeks with a leg infection.

Mason has not travelled to Portugal with the rest of the squad.

One player itching to play against the Airlie Birds is back-rower Jon Wilkin, who has spent the off-season recuperating after having an operation on his broken hand, suffered in the Nations Cup Final in the autumn.

As a Hull KR fan, Wilkin approaches any game against Hull with relish.

And although currently displaying a pretty gruesome scar on his hand, the 21-year-old England A backrower says he is now hopeful to stake his claim for a starting spot.

Wilkin said: "I had a bit of a set back with it, but it is ok now.

"I will be right for the start of the season - and hopefully I will be out there for that game against Hull.

"It was a bad injury and I had three pins in it.

"It has not stopped me training in the gym, although contact work has been difficult."

The Saints Supporters Club 'Meet the new players' takes place on Monday, February 7, 7pm, at Touchlines. New boys Paul Anderson, Michael Smith and Jamie Lyon will be in attendance.

Membership can be renewed on the evening.