FORMER Saints Grand Final winner Mose Masoe is showing signs of improvement after undergoing spinal surgery.

The 30-year-old Hull KR front rower was taken to hospital after seriously hurting his neck during the opening minutes of the pre-season trial match at Wakefield on Sunday.

He was carried off on a stretcher and rushed to hospital in Leeds, where he was operated on overnight.

The Rugby League Benevolent Fund have paid for the player's family to fly over from Australia to be with him.

An Hull KR statement read: "Following Mose's surgery last night, he is awake and alert and has continued to show signs of improvement.

"Mose has an overwhelmingly positive mindset and would like to thank everyone for their concern and well wishes.

"He would also like to extend special thanks to staff at Leeds General Infirmary for their unbelievable care.

"The club will continue to provide further updates as soon as they can, and in the meantime would ask for privacy for Mose and his family at such a difficult time.

"If anyone would like to offer a kind donation to support Mose and his family, please do so via the official Hull Kingston Rovers donation page.

"The club wishes to thank the Rugby League Benevolent Fund for flying Mose's family over to be with him."

Masoe was a member of Saints' Grand Final winning team in 2014.