St Helens return interests Lyon

Lyon became a Saints hero in a successful two-year spell with the club

Former St Helens star Jamie Lyon says he would like to return to Knowsley Road once he has finished his stint in Australia with Manly Sea Eagles.

Lyon, 27, won the 2006 grand final, the Challenge Cup and a Man of Steel award in a two-year spell at Saints, where he scored 46 tries in 63 games.

"I had a great time here," Lyon said ahead of Manly's World Club Challenge with Leeds on 1 March.

"I've got two more years with Manly but I definitely want to come back."

Lyon has no doubts that there is only one club for him should he return to the UK.

"I'd have a preference for Saints because they were good to me and the fans were unreal. I won a couple of awards and Saints won a couple of titles too," he said.

There's always a lot of rivalry between Australia and England, we always want to get one over them and hopefully that will happen this time

Ex Saints star Jamie Lyon

The one potential obstacle to Lyon's planned returned is the new visa regulations which have prevented a number of applications from Australian players from fulfilling contracts with Super League sides.

"The visas are quite a talking point in Australia. It's a bit of a headache having signed a contract," Lyons said.

"A lot of Aussies come over here but they're obviously toughening it up a bit. There's nothing to stop me coming over though."

Lyons is preparing to face Leeds in the world club challenge aware that Australian teams have not won the title since 2003 when Sydney Roosters beat Saints 38-0.

"I'm looking forward to this one. There's always a lot of rivalry between Australia and England, we always want to get one over them and hopefully that will happen this time," he said.