MARTIN Gleeson is champing at the bit at the prospect of getting one over on his mates when he returns to St Helens for the first time tomorrow night.

The Great Britain international centre left Knowsley Road last July to join Wolves in a £270,000 deal but still retains close ties with the side he secured Grand Final victory with in 2002, which will add an extra edge to Sky's televised game for him.

But although looking forward to the 'derby' match, Gleeson knows Warrington face a difficult task against the team currently lying second in Super League, even though Wolves themselves have won their last four league games.

"I can't wait for it - it's going to be a great game," he said.

"Obviously we're in a bit of form, but they've been in form all year so it's going to be tough, but we'll give it a shot."

Gleeson still regularly nips down to Knowsley Road to watch Ian Millward's men in Super League action, and he says his move across the M62 has done nothing to diminish his friendship with his old teammates.

He said: "They're all my mates, and I still see them now and go out with them - just because you change teams doesn't mean you have to change your mates.

"I've gone to watch them play a few times, and a few of the lads come and watch me, but we'll all be watching each other on Friday!"

The 24-year-old admits he was disappointed when Saints decided to sell him, but jumped at the chance to join Wolves and is currently enjoying life at The Halliwell Jones Stadium.

He said: "I was gutted to leave St Helens initially, how can anyone not be?

"I loved it there, it was the best part of my career to date, and I was winning so much with them that it was a big blow to find out that I was being sold.

"But I had a couple of clubs to choose from and took the chance to come to Warrington with both hands, and I've enjoyed it here so far.

"I feel like an integral part of the team now and hopefully we can get a few more wins on the trot and push on from here."

And Gleeson is hoping the first win of that push comes tomorrow, Friday, to allow Wolves to break their Super League duck at St Helens, where they have conceded 553 points in 10 matches, especially after Saints ran in three late tries to snatch an 18-16 victory at The Halliwell Jones two months ago.

"We were desperately unlucky last time we played them," he said.

"It's a 'derby' and when I was there Saints were always up for it when they played Warrington, but it's the same the other way round.

"They're my mates off the field but once we're on the field they're quality players and it's a different story.

"We've just got to produce our best against them, and to get the win would be a great one for me - you've got to get one over on your old club!"