League: Kenny-Dowall in hospital after domestic violence charges

Shaun Kenny-Dowall. Photo / Getty Images

Shaun Kenny-Dowall will sit out at least another fortnight of the NRL after being hospitalised due to concerns about his mental wellbeing, in the wake of the domestic violence allegations made against him.

Kiwi Kenny-Dowall will miss the Sydney Roosters' round 20 NRL match with Wests Tigers tonight and will also likely miss the round 21 match against Canterbury next week.

Roosters coach Trent Robinson said yesterday the 27-year-old was battling to come to terms with the allegations made against him and was receiving professional help.

"Shaun is obviously getting looked after at the moment, he is struggling with what has happened over the last week or so.

"He needed to get some attention and that is what he is doing," Robinson said.

"It has been a welfare issue, we have wanted to make sure he is in the right frame of mind and it has got to the point that he needed to get some help with that.

"First of all for his family that has been caring for him, and his friends and the club, it is about making sure he is in the right space to get back on track to then go through the court process with these charges.

"The first bit is welfare and the second bit as far as I know he will try and clear his name."

Robinson stressed the Roosters had not stood down Kenny-Dowall after he was arrested and charged on Saturday with a number of alleged offences in relation to his former girlfriend Jessica Peris.

The matter was brought before Waverley Local Court yesterday. Kenny-Dowall did not appear. His lawyer Chris Watson did not enter a plea on his behalf.

The matter has been adjourned until August 6.

Robinson said he wasn't sure when the Kiwi international would play again.

"We have said openly he is innocent until proven guilty," Robinson said.

"We have stood down players before who have not done anything illegal but who have broken standards in this club and we will give him his chance to be innocent.

"It is all about welfare at the moment. He is not playing because of a welfare issue, not because we believe he is guilty and that is not for us to decide, that is for the court to decide.

"Shaun won't be playing this weekend and he most likely won't be playing next weekend."

- AAP