Promising Penrith back-rower Matt Robinson is believed to have suffered a broken neck which will rule him out for the rest of the NRL season.

Robinson was injured in his club’s NRL win over Paramatta on Saturday and the club issued a statement on Monday saying initial scans indicated it was similar to teammate Sam McKendry’s injury earlier this season.

Fellow New Zealander McKendry fractured the C6 vertebra in his neck, coincidentally also against the Eels.

“This is devastating news for Matt and it’s a huge blow to the club,” said Panthers football general manager Phil Moss.

“There will be no further comment until Matt has seen a specialist later in the week.”

The 23-year-old Robinson has been outstanding since becoming a regular member of the side this year but he nows joins McKendry, Lachlan Coote, Sika Manu, Blake Austin and Tom Humble on the Panthers’ injured list.