There are whispers coming out of England that St. Helens superstar James Roby is set to link with Nathan Brown and the Newcastle Knights in 2016.

Roby has previously turned down an offer from Parramatta before signing a contract extension with the Saints but it is believed that the Super League powerhouse wouldn’t stand in his way such has been the success most recently of Canberra’s English rake Josh Hodgson. The 29-year-old is locked up until the end of 2018 but Newcastle’s new coach Brown could help get the deal over the line as he coached Roby at St. Helens for two years between 2013 and 2014, also winning a Super League title.

Newcastle are without an experienced hooker to go with the signing of halfback Trent Hodkinson and while young Danny Levi is seen as a long-term prospect, bringing Roby to the club would have an immediate effect.