ST HELENS' Great Britain forward Jon Wilkin has been handed a two-match ban after being found guilty of striking.

The 21-year-old back rower was sin-binned and placed on report for a high and late tackle on Giants captain Chris Thorman during Saints' opening 18-10 Super League win at the Stadium on Sunday.

Wilkin, who admitted the offence when he appeared before the Rugby Football League's disciplinary committee in Leeds, was also fined £300.

"It was a careless tackle and he does regret it," said coach Daniel Anderson.

Wilkin will miss St Helens' fixtures against Harlequins on Friday and Wakefield on Sunday week.

But he will be available for the Carnegie World Club Challenge against Brisbane Broncos at Bolton on February 23.

The suspension means the champions are likely to go into their opening home game on Friday night without four of their Great Britain stars.

Saints welcome back former New Zealand Test centre Willie Talau from a ban, but second rower Lee Gilmour, who deputised for him against Huddersfield, has joined full-back Paul Wellens and captain Paul Sculthorpe on the injury list with a badly-broken nose.

"Lee Gilmour won't play on Friday," said Anderson. "His nose is shattered. It's a nasty injury.

"Hopefully he's back before the World Club Challenge."

Wellens and his understudy Ian Hardman are both struggling to shake off leg injuries sustained in pre-season friendlies and teenage centre Stephen Tyrer, who was 18th man at Huddersfield, could be set for a second senior appearance after making his debut against Catalans last year.

"I'll name Paul Wellens in the squad but he's unlikely to play," added Anderson.