Rooster Sandon Smith to face court on driving charge

AAP understands the charge relates to an incident earlier this year, but the NRL was only informed of the matter on Thursday.

The charge carries a maximum prison term of nine months or $2200 in fines.

Smith looms as a crucial fixture of the Roosters' side for next year, set to take charge of their attack following Luke Keary's exit and Sam Walker's injury.

Already backed to start in the halves following Keary's decision to retire from the NRL this year, Smith's value then rose when Walker ruptured his ACL in August.

Smith is therefore expected to start the year alongside Chad Townsend in the halves, with Walker not likely to return until months into the season.