YOUNG Saints backrower Matty Foster has broken his jaw in two places.

The 19-year-old former Blackbrook junior suffered the injury while on loan to Leigh Centurions in their game against Wigan.

Foster had impressed in the friendly against Warrington for the Centurions, and was having a busy game in the Super League opener until he suffered the cruel break.

Leigh coach John Duffy said: “Matty Foster has had his jaw wired.

"He broke it in two different places from a head collision with Morgan Smithies.

“It was unfortunate for a young kid who put his body on the line. I am gutted for him and the lads have done something for him this week.”

The youngster, rated highly by Kristian Woolf for his work in the off-season, faces a lengthy period sidelined with a tough injury.

Woolf said: “It is a devastating injury for him.

“We were happy for him to get a couple of opportunities with Leigh and I thought in the trial against Warrington he showed some of his capabilities.

“He is a young player and it is a bit different trying to make your way in the forwards, compared to the outside backs.

“He is a player we have real hopes of developing and he shown that in the game against Warrington, his potential.

“I was pleased that he was going to get an opportunity against Wigan in round and loved the way he threw himself into that game but unfortunately he has ended up injured.

St Helens Star:

“A broken jaw is a terrible injury to have with how it limits you afterwards. He is going to have to go through that and be out for a fairly extended period.

“The one thing he has got in his favour is that he is a very committed kid, his youth is in his favour.

“And I have no doubt that we will see Matty take the field again at some stage mid year and play some good footy on the back of that as well."