Newton's foul play earns 10-game ban

Newton was placed on report for a tackle that left Lee Gilmour concussed. He was cited by Saints for that and for an incident that fractured Sean Long's cheekbone and damaged his eye socket. He was found guilty on both counts last night and banned for three matches for the first offence and seven for the second.

The St Helens coach Daniel Anderson was still angry about the two injuries yesterday. "I've been in rugby league for a while and I saw some incidents there I have never seen before as a coach," he said.

Saints have confirmed that Long is out for the season - and probably for the subsequent Tri-Nations - along with Darren Albert, who suffered a similar injury in a clash of heads with Brett Dallas. That means that Albert, who is joining Cronulla in his native Australia for next season, has played his last match for St Helens, having scored 91 tries in 124 appearances.

The Leeds prop Barrie McDermott has escaped suspension despite being found guilty of a high tackle against Warrington.

Kieron Purtill, who is on the St Helens coaching staff, is joining Huddersfield as assistant to Jon Sharp.

Ali Lauitiiti is out of Leeds' team to play at Wakefield on Friday night after a minor knee operation. The Rhinos, second in Super League behind Saints, are confident that he will be fit for the play-offs and have Chris McKenna and Ryan Bailey back for this game.

Whitehaven, who won the first trophy in their 57-year history at the weekend by topping National League One, say they are confident of meeting Super League's criteria if they win their play-off matches.

Wests Tigers' brilliant young stand-off, Benji Marshall, is considering delaying shoulder surgery at the end of the season in order to play for New Zealand in the Tri-Nations.