SAINTS coach Kristian Woolf said loose forward Morgan Knowles is "devastated" at missing the Grand Final after losing his appeal against a two-match suspension for a Grade B Dangerous Contact.

He picked up the ban for his arm pull on Chris Atkin during Saturday’s Super League Play-off Semi-final against Salford Red Devils.

The independent tribunal upheld the Match Review Panel’s decision and also imposed a £500 fine.  

He will now miss the opportunity to play at Old Trafford and a fourth consecutive Grand Final..

Coach Kristian Woolf explained why the club had appealed: "We honestly believed it was a professional foul but it was not foul play, there was no dangerous position created whatsoever.

"First and foremost, we would not have challenged if we did not think there was a case to challenge.

"We have been consistent with that all year and only challenged what deserved challenging.

"We believed this one was worth challenging and still do - but we have to respect that decision.

"Morgan is devastated. It is possibly the biggest game of his career if you look at the opportunity and how hard he has worked for a number of years to be given it.

"For that not to be in front of him anymore is a very difficult one to take."