SAINTS’ new stand-off Travis Burns will begin pre-season training with members of the squad next week.

The 30-year-old Australian, who signed a three-year deal with the club from Hull KR, will join fellow new signing Atelea Vea from London Broncos to link up with young members of the squad.

New head coach Keiron Cunningham is already underway with pre-season preparations, getting his feet under the table after taking over from Nathan Brown. Meanwhile, Saints’ Grand Final winning side are on a four week break before they re-join the rest of the players for training.

Prop forward Alex Walmlsey has undergone a hip operation while injured talisman Luke Walsh has returned to Australia to continue his rehabilitation from the broken leg he picked up in July.

Walsh, who was at Old Trafford to witness the team’s triumph over Wigan and join in with some of the team’s post-match celebrations, returns to the country in late November with the club confirming his recovery is going positively.

Saints are understood to be looking at another signing with an outside back believed to be the target, although a massive contract is not expected.

Meanwhile, season ticket renewal sales to see Saints attempt to defend their Super League crown have received a strong response, with 2015 bringing the start of the innovative new league structure.

Season tickets will include all home games in the 23 regular rounds as well as the extra three or four matches in the ‘Super 8s’ phase of the competition with the renewal deadline on Friday, October 31.

In addition, Saints have joined Wigan and Wolves in talks with the Australian clubs involved in February’s World Club Series over arrangements.

Saints will face NRL champions South Sydney Rabbitohs in the World Club Challenge, the climax of the three-game event on Sunday, February 22. Kick-off times are yet to be agreed but Saints have already begun to field enquiries about hospitality for the event.