Salford City Reds centre Joel Moon could be sidelined until April after breaking a bone in his hand during his side’s 38-10 defeat at St Helens on Friday.

Moon, who missed the chance to play for New Zealand Warriors in last October’s Grand Final because of a broken ankle, was making only his second appearance for the City Reds.

“His hand is currently in a cast and he’s seeing a specialist today,” said a Salford spokesman. “We expect he could be out for up to two months.”

“It’s obviously it’s a big blow for us and for Joel so soon after his ankle break.”

Another new signing, utility player Stuart Howarth, sustained a broken nose and a badly-bruised thumb in the same game, while debutant forward Shannon McPherson had stitches in two separate head wounds, although both are expected to face Widnes Vikings on Sunday.

The Reds also expect former Wigan Warriors’ props Iafeta Paleaaesina and Jordan James to return from injury against the Vikings but hooker Wayne Godwin remains sidelined with rib cartilage damage.