SAINTS have instructed their solicitors to examine remarks posted on social media websites that the club consider to be defamatory.

The action comes in the wake of their fifth successive defeat which has seen them exit the Challenge Cup and slump to eighth place in the Super League table.

While the rugby league club accepts that the modern trend of supporters posting critical comments on social media – in particular Facebook and Twitter - is fair comment and fair game, it has grown increasingly alarmed by alleged libellous statements about its players.

Following Friday’s defeat to Widnes, a succession of tweets – predominantly directed at Saints injured full back Jonny Lomax – prompted the club to respond with a message from its own account.

In the tweet Saints warned that libellous comments made “towards our players will not be tolerated and action will be taken if necessary”.

They later added: “Jonny is injured and continuous libel and slander will result in action.”

The allegations are categorically untrue, say the club.

The 22-year-old, from Billinge, sustained a hamstring injury against Wakefield in mid-March in but has twice suffered setbacks as he tried to step up his return to fitness, firstly ahead of the Good Friday match versus Wigan and, secondly, ahead of the Challenge Cup tie at Hull KR last month.

But during his absence the untruthful rumours have circulated on social media.

It has become a common trend over the decades for rumours to sweep the town when Saints have hit a poor run of form.

But the relatively new phenomenon of social media means what was once ill-informed gossip is now written on electronic devices before being spread to a much wider audience, thus creating potentially defamatory remarks.

Now the club appears to have become increasingly sick of grossly inaccurate statements, the toxic way they can spread and the effect it can have on players and their families.

It has culminated in them placing five tweets in the hands of solicitors for scrutiny.

Libel is classed as a written statement that states an untruth which will do harm to a person, their reputation, by opening them to ridicule, hatred, or contempt.

Defamation lawyers can bring a civil case where they believe a statement about a client was a lie.

In 2012 the former New Zealand cricketer, Chris Cairns won the first Twitter libel case and was awarded damages of £90,000 by the High Court after suing over a defamatory tweet.

Numerous other cases have followed since and there are high profile claims passing through the courts.