James Roby: St Helens & England hooker out with new ankle problem

St Helens hooker James Roby is facing 10 weeks out with a new ankle problem, giving England coach Steve McNamara another concern ahead of the World Cup.

the 27-year-old damaged his other ankle in a win at Castleford.

Roby requires surgery which will keep him out for the majority of the season.

England play Australia in their first World Cup match on 26 October, leaving Roby little over a month to prove his fitness if he returns on schedule.

Stand-off Gareth Widdop is already a doubt for the tournament after dislocating his hip while playing for Melbourne Storm in June, while Leeds and England captain Kevin Sinfield is currently out of action with a broken thumb.

Speaking after Sunday's game, Saints coach Nathan Brown told BBC Radio Merseyside: "It's not looking good. They think it's the same injury on his [Roby's] other foot."

The 40-24 success was a welcome one for Saints, who were publicly backed by chairman Eamonn McManus in the build-up to the game following a poor run of form.

Brown, whose side are now up to seventh in Super League, continued: "It was good to get the result - [but] if we hadn't got the result, it wouldn't have changed where I think the club's at.

"I'm quite comfortable with where we're heading. We had another local boy [Greg Richards] who made his debut today. All the kids are good, long-term players for the club.

"The key for us to go forward for the rest of the year is to play consistently well."