����ý

St Helens coach Nathan Brown has confirmed he is keen to strengthen his squad at half-back after being linked with Luke Walsh of Penrith Panthers.

The Saints coach is an admirer of Walsh, 26, who joined Penrith from Newcastle Knights in 2009.

Brown told "He's got a skill set that would probably benefit most Super League teams.

"He kicks the ball very well, he's got an ability to make other people look good and he's a very good organiser."

The former Huddersfield Giants coach continued: "We've identified a number of players in a number of positions that we're interested in, but we haven't actually signed any players in any positions.

"Retaining the good, young, local players has been a real priority. Now we've got them, we need to look at what we need to add to our squad that can help us move forward.

"Half-back in an area we've identified, so is the front row and we're looking at a number of players."

Saints half-backs Lance Hohaia and Gary Wheeler have both spent time out injured this season, while Jonny Lomax - who was switched from scrum-half to full-back early in the campaign - is also currently sidelined.

With Brown's options limited, the experienced duo of full-back Paul Wellens and forward Jon Wilkin have regularly been asked to fill those positions.

Saints have lost their last five matches in all competitions and visit reigning Super League champions Leeds Rhinos on Monday, but forward Paul Clough has insisted the club's present form is not a massive concern and is convinced results will turn.

"Leeds [who have won the Super League title in each of the last two seasons having finished fifth in the table] have proven time and time again that it doesn't matter what you're playing like now. It matters what you're playing like at the back end of the year," said Clough.

"As long as we put ourselves in a position to be in that fight at the end, that's all you can ask for."