SAINTS scrum half Luke Walsh could be out for up to a month after undergoing minor surgery on the same ankle that he damaged last July.

The star Australian playmaker has only just returned from the serious broken leg and ankle injury, starting the last three games after slowly being re-introduced from the bench for the previous two.

Speaking at the club's weekly press conference this morning, coach Keiron Cunningham said Walsh could miss between four and five games.

He said: "He had surgery on his ankle on Monday.

"It was a minor clean out; we thought we could get through until the end of the season with it but it was uncomfortable for him. He will be out for a few weeks and then we will have him back for the remainder of the season.

"The fracture site is fine and he has taken some significant knocks on it in the last few weeks. That is good for his confidence. He has come through quite a trauma so for something as little as a grumbling ankle to knock him back is disappointing for him.

"I want him to feel good and go into games with confidence so hopefully in four or five weeks he will be back.

"He has shown how important he is to the club. The combination with him, Travis Burns and Jon Wilkin has been sensational and has allowed us to attack across the park. I'm excited at what we can do in the run in."