SAINTS and England loose forward Morgan Knowles has been hit with a five-match ban and a £500 fine after being found guilty of Dangerous Contact in the Good Friday game at Wigan.

Knowles was cited for his challenge on Wigan prop Mike Cooper late in the game, which resulted in his opponent's leg buckling on the impact of the three-man tackle.

Cooper was led from the field assisted by the Wigan trainers and it has now been confirmed by coach Mat Peet that the England is out for the season with an ACL knee injury.

The nature of Cooper's injury is an aggravating factor - hence the length of the ban being increased from the standard Grade D of 2-3 matches.

It means Knowles will miss the next five games - a ban that will also rule him out of the England team for the game against France.

It is a huge blow to Saints, who are already without packmen Alex Walmsley, Joe Batchelor and Sione Mata'utia, and still have question marks over Agnatius Paasi and Jake Wingfield for Friday.

They will miss his tough tackling,aggressive chase and skilful ball playing in the middle of the park - especially with games against Hull KR, Warrington and Catalans coming up.

Warrington's Gil Dudson (Warrington Wolves) has also been suspended for five matches by tonight’s independent tribunal. 

Dudson was referred to tribunal by the Match Review Panel on a Grade E charge of punching a Catalans Dragons opponent during Saturday’s Betfred Super League match in Perpignan. He is also fined £500. 

An appeal by Leigh Leopards’ Ava Seumanufaga against a one match suspension, imposed for late contact with a Salford Red Devils opponent during Saturday’s game, was successful, the incident being downgraded from B to A and the one match suspension cancelled.

He is fined £250.