Barrett enters early guilty plea

St George Illawarra captain Trent Barrett will miss six matches after entering an early guilty plea today on a striking charge. Barrett was charged yesterday with a grade five striking offence by the NRL's match review committee after his forearm came into contact with Newcastle winger Brian Carney's head during the Dragons' 38-12 win over the Knights on Friday.

St George Illawarra chief executive Peter Doust says the club has accepted the charge and its main concern is to have Barrett play as many games as possible before leaving the club to join English club Wigan. Barrett will return for the Dragons in round 20.