All Blacks star McAlister will make his Sharks debut at outside centre in Friday's Guinness Premiership clash with struggling Worcester.

The versatile 24-year-old's acquisition is a major coup for Sale who have secured the services of one of New Zealand's most gifted players - in his prime.

For England international Hodgson, who continues at fly-half for the trip to Sixways, his arrival is a welcome opportunity to share the playmaking duties.

'Luke's a very good player and one I'm really looking forward to playing alongside. I'm sure we'll help each other out,' he said.

'We're both playmakers and can hopefully take a bit of pressure off each other.

'Rather than just relying on one person to call the shots all the time, we can help share the workload and that might open a bit of space for either of us.

'Perhaps on occasions in the past I haven't had that much room to work in but, with Luke playing outside, there might be a bit more as the attention might be focused on him a little more.'

McAlister's preferred position is inside centre, where he has figured prominently for the All Blacks, but he is comfortable across the midfield.

A genuine all-rounder and superb decision maker, the Auckland Blue underlined his class during New Zealand's ill-fated World Cup.

'Luke showed in the World Cup what an amazing player he is,' said Hodgson.

'I'm just looking forward to getting him involved in the back line and helping to integrate him into the side as quickly as possible.'

McAlister may have signed a bumper two-year deal thought to be worth £500,000, but he has been unable to displace former Wales Under-21 centre Lee Thomas from the number 12 jersey.

Thomas has impressed during his spell in the side and Philippe Saint Andre has opted to keep faith with the 23-year-old as Sale target their first Premiership away win in over a year.

Destructive England prop Andrew Sheridan celebrates his new three-year contract with the Sharks by starting at loosehead with Sébastien Chabal and Jason White returning to the back row.

Worcester's Dale Rasmussen is restored to outside centre after being rested for the two European Challenge Cup victories against Bucuresti and Montauban.

But Loki Crichton misses out with a calf injury so Mark Tucker joins Rasmussen in the midfield.