Bridge leaves a gap as Hull wait on Long

Two clubs with ambitions at the top end of Super League are waiting anxiously to hear whether a key player will play again this season.

Fourth-placed Hull's captain, Sean Long dislocated an elbow during their victory over the Catalans on Friday. He was having further tests on the injury last night, but the club fear that he may miss the rest of the campaign. Second-placed Warrington are also expecting to have to do without England centre Chris Bridge after he aggravated a shoulder injury during the defeat by Leeds on Sunday and may need major surgery.

After two years in rugby union with Stade Français, Mark Gasnier is back in league with his old club, the St George Illawarra Dragons, on a four-and-a-half year deal. Troubled Paul Whatuira is also returning to Australia, having been released by Huddersfield, while Featherstone's Papua New Guinea centre Jessie Joe Parker is going home, too, because his son has malaria.