COUGARS forward Emmerson Whittel has thanked fans for their support after suffering a broken jaw against Fryston – which he says will keep him out action for three months.

Keighley's Challenge Cup tie against Warriors at Featherstone Rovers ground descended into an ugly brawl as Fryston's Andy Speake and Whittel were dismissed, with Whittel suffering the injury after being manhandled by a number of Warriors players.

The second-rower, who is a Bradford Bulls Academy product, said on Twitter: "Thanks to everyone who has messaged me and wished me well regarding the injury I sustained in Saturday's game.

"My jaw is a clean break, may need an operation but have brackets and bands on my teeth for now to try and align my jaw back together.

"Looking for six to eight weeks general recovery before I can eat properly again and around three months before I can play.

"All the support means a lot. Much appreciated."

Meanwhile, it has emerged that Whittel's girlfriend, Chloe Akers, from Bradford, was told to "pipe down sweetheart" in a tweet from Fryston's official Twitter account after she had taken to social media to voice her anger at the violence.

The tweet, which was later deleted, was followed by an emoji kiss and was in response to her comment: "Glad I wasn't at the @  Cougarmania @  FrystonARLFC game, to see @  emmersonwhitt get his head kicked in by 5+?? grown men, have a word! Vile".

Cougars have confirmed the RFL are looking into the incident, with the club requesting any footage to be sent to info@keighleycougars.com.

Fryston have posted images on their Twitter account which they claim show their loose forward Aaron Dobek being attacked by Cougars players and fellow Warriors forward Gazza Kear with a broken cheekbone in three places.

An RFL spokesman confirmed that the league's operations team has started gathering evidence and reports into off-field incidents while the match-review panel will consider any foul play at its weekly meeting on Thursday.