Ben Barba is expected to make his debut for St Helens midway through the English Super League playoffs on September 1.

The ex-NRL star’s 12-match drug ban will end against Wigan in the fourth round of the Super 8s after the league confirmed fixtures on Wednesday.

The Merseyside-based Saints have anticipated fullback Barba’s slated debut at home ground Totally Wicked Stadium will be the “hottest ticket in town”.

St Helens finished the regular season sixth and begin their Super 8s campaign against top-seeded Castleford on August 3.

Barba was recruited by the club in May on a two-and-a-half year deal after a three-month stint in French rugby union with Toulon.

He left Australia after being banned for a second positive test for cocaine a month after winning the NRL premiership with Cronulla in October.

The Saints tried to overturn the 28-year-old’s suspension but England’s governing Rugby Football League body upheld it.

Barba said recently his sights were set on playing in the Super League semi-finals.

“My aim for Super 8s is to just get my first game out of the way,” Barba told the club’s website on July 22.

“Hopefully I’m firing then … then put in some great performances and get us into that top-four.”