WIDNES prop Manase Manuokafoa faces a three-match ban after being charged with dangerous contact on Saints' scrum half Matty Smith in the 39th minute of the Vikings' pre-season friendly last Sunday.

Manuokafoa has been charged with a grade C offence which carries a suspension of two to three matches.

His option of submitting an early-guilty plea was withdrawn due to the serious nature of Smith's injury.

Smith underwent surgery on his leg on Tuesday and faces a spell on the sidelines, believed to be around the ten-week mark.

Manuokafoa was charged by the Rugby Football League's match-review panel and will face an independent on-field operational rules tribunal on Tuesday, January 31.