Coach Paul Wellens has confirmed Saints will be without their star prop for a prolonged period.

Walmsley was initially sidelined with a hamstring strain after limping off during the Challenge Cup tie, but a knee issue was also subsequently identified.

Coach Paul Wellens today confirmed that the veteran front rower has gone under the knife – with the decision being taken to sacrifice short term benefits for long term gain.

Wellens said: “Alex has had surgery and is going to be out for a prolonged period, which is obviously unfortunate but we are really confident that we have made the right decision there in terms of looking after his long term health.

“He has just signed a two-year contract extension with us and we want Alex fit and healthy for these two years.

“We had to make the smart decision – as his coach and knowing important he is for us, there can be a tendency to make a decision on the short term interest and get one of the best forwards in the game out there immediately, but that is what we can’t do.

“We have to make the sensible choice and although we are going to miss Al for a prolonged period of time and it is really disappointing, we had to make the strong decision.”

Last week, as well as out-and-out props Matty Lees and George Delaney, back rowers Sione Mata’utia, Curtis Sironen and Morgan Knowles all played a bit of front row.

Wellens has faith in the rest of the pack to put their shoulders to the wheel.

He said: “I am confident the other forwards can do it, as they did really well for a chunk at the back end of last year.

“During that period I thought the team and the middle unit performed really well – and that is going to be the challenge for them again.”

There was positive news on two absentees, one short-term and the other long-term.

Wellens said: “Jake Wingfield could potentially return this week, if not then the week after – he is felling good again and has got the strength back into his shoulder so we will make a decision after training tomorrow.”

Wellens revealed last week that long-term casualty Agnatius Paasi, who has been sidelined since last year’s Challenge Cup semi final – is now back training with the full squad.

“We’re hoping he’ll play for the Reserves in three or four week’s time, which if he gets to run out there and comes through well, he starts obviously become come into contention with us.

“It’s probably a timely return for Agnatius,” he said.