BLAKE Austin will not face a ban after escaping a penalty notice for his sin-binning against Hull Kingston Rovers on Saturday.

The Wire half-back was yellow-carded by referee Liam Moore following a tackle on Rovers captain Joel Tomkins in the first half of their 28-14 victory at The Halliwell Jones Stadium.

However, the RFL's Match Review Panel determined Austin's contact with Tomkins' head was accidental and that a sin-binning was sufficient punishment, meaning the stand-off is free to face Huddersfield Giants in The Wire's next game on February 22.

After Saturday's game, Wire head coach Steve Price said he "could not see much wrong" with Austin's tackle but that he would have to review it again.

However, Hull KR head coach Tim Sheens said of the incident: "Joel had to go to hospital in an ambulance and he's a sick boy and in a bad way and we are concerned for him.

"I think the player concerned may a have a little worry this week but it doesn't help us for the fact in the 10 minutes he was off we scored a try.

"It's a tough one for referees because he doesn't know he's hit him that hard he has put him in hospital.

READ > From tears to cheers for Currie as he closes in on comeback

"It doesn't matter if you are lying on the ground or running through, if you get hit flush on the head you are going to have a problem.

"I'm not whingeing about it though, it's difficult for referees but losing my captain and influential player in the squad for most of the game was a concern."

Tomkins, who did not return to the field and was taken to hospital with a severe concussion following the incident, has been given a caution for his own instance of dangerous contact.

The incident for which the former Wigan man has been cautioned has not been made clear as of yet, but our photographer Mike Boden captured this image of the Rovers skipper tackling Wire winger Tom Lineham.

Warrington Guardian: