Ben Barba is expected to light up the NRL upon his return from St Helens

HE may still be hurting but Ben Barba has been backed by new North Queensland teammate Jordan McLean to spark the Cowboys on his NRL return in 2019.Former Cronulla star Barba is regrouping before returning to Australia, after going agonisingly close to giving St Helens fans the grand final farewell he promised before leaving the UK Super League club.Barba is still coming to terms with the League Leaders’ Shield winners shock 18-13 semi-final loss to Warrington which
abruptly ended his two-season stint with the Saints.But Cowboys prop McLean reckons the signs are good that Barba will have the Midas touch for the Cowboys in 2019.The 2012 Dally M Medal winner has signed a one-year deal, returning to the NRL for the first time since he copped a 2016 ban for testing positive to cocaine.“He can bring a bit of X-factor to the team.” said McLean, who is preparing for the Kangaroos’ end of year Tests against New Zealand and Tonga.“I am sure him and (playmaker) Michael Morgan will link up well along with (half) Jake Clifford. Hopefully they can build something there.”Barba was a hit in the Super League, scoring a staggering 34 tries in as many games for the Saints.