Long blow for stricken Saints

Long: Straight to hospital

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St Helens could be without Sean Long for some time after the influential scrum-half suffered a suspected broken jaw in Saints' 20-10 defeat at Salford.

Long sustained the injury following a clash with Mark Henry during the second-half at The Willows, and was immediately sent to hospital after being replaced.

"Longy has got a broken jaw we think so he's going to hospital tonight," reported coach Mick Potter.

"I didn't see the incident and we'll just have to wait and see how serious it is."

The news rounded off a poor night for Potter, who admitted the performance was one of the worst from the Super League leaders all season.

"The other team were better than us and we made too many errors," he said. "It was probably, by the standard that the players have set, the poorest performance in my six months here."

Just reward

By contrast, Shaun McRae could barely conceal his delight after his Salford side claimed the points with a thoroughly deserved success.

"I can't explain it," said McRae. "You play against sides that are evenly matched and sometimes you just don't perform, but the best sides bring the best out of you.

"This victory was just reward for the players' effort. We had a set gameplan and it worked.

"And I've got to give credit to the players for being able to implement to that plan to a tee.

"I'm not happy with Jeremy Smith's sinbinning but I'm generally very happy because we've beaten the best side in St Helens."

Praise also went to Stefan Ratchford, who was doubtful for the game earlier in the week because of a groin injury, but put that aside to score twice in the first 10 minutes.

"I've got to give credit to our medical staff for getting him on the field," said McRae.

"He's only had one proper training session this week but I thought he was outstanding."