SAINTS have confirmed that Matty Lees will miss the remainder of the season after successfully undergoing surgery on a perforated bowel.

Lees sustained the injury in the win over Leeds Rhinos on 15 August and was taken to hospital in the city that evening.

The on-form prop not only missed Wembley the week after, but also the chance of going on the Great Britain tour to New Zealand and Papua New Guinea.

Saints Head Physio Nathan Mill said: “Matty perforated his bowel during the victory over Leeds Rhinos which resulted in him undergoing emergency abdominal surgery at Leeds General Infirmary.

“The surgery was a success, but Matty will sit out the remainder of the current season and has a long road to recovery.

“The nature of the injury and its rarity and complexity means it will be a matter of taking it stage by stage in regard to his rehabilitation process.

“Our medical team here at St Helens will judge his progression to correctly determine when that means he will return to play.

“The good news for Matty and everyone involved is he is currently stable at home and improving gradually.

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“The club and myself would like to pay thanks for the input and help of the Leeds Rhinos’ medical staff who were of massive assistance on the day of Matty’s injury as well as at Leeds General Hospital and locally in Oldham in the weeks following.”