PENRITH forward Tim Browne had to have emergency surgery after a tackle gone wrong left him with a horror injury on Saturday.

Browne was taken from the field and rushed to hospital with what was thought to be a spleen injury.

But it was discovered the front-rower had actually ruptured his bowel in the tackle.

The Panthers released a statement on Sunday revealing the shocking injury.

Round 20

The 30-year-old is in a stable condition and “expected to make a full recovery” but his immediate future in rugby league looks grim.

He needed to be assisted from the field by two Penrith trainers during the first half of the clash, played in stifling heat at Panthers Stadium.

The Panthers medical staff spent 25 minutes treating Brown as they waited for the arrival of an ambulance.