Long describes himself as looking "like a pirate"

St Helens scrum-half Sean Long is unable to close his left eye after suffering nerve damage during surgery on his broken jaw.

Long wears an eye patch during daytime training, and is currently restricted to only playing in evening matches.

He was originally scheduled to return in the Challenge Cup semi-final against Huddersfield, but had to pull out because the sun was too bright.

"The specialist said it should go back to normal," said the 32-year-old.

"Hopefully it's sooner rather than later because it's doing my head in. I can't complain though, because I'm back playing and that's the main thing."

Long, who suffered a broken jaw against Salford in July, is expected to play for Saints in their 2000 BST kick-off against Leeds on Friday.

"My jaw has healed well but I can't close my left eye so I have to wear a patch," he said.

"I look like a pirate!

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"When the surgeon cut my ear, it left nerve damage across my face. He said there would be some bruising of the nerve but I don't think he expected it to be as bad as it is.

"The eye gets a bit sore sometimes."

Long returned to action in last weekend's Super League evening game against Huddersfield, which Saints won 12-10.

But he said the Challenge Cup semi-final match against the Giants, which kicked off in bright sunlight at 1600 BST, was simply impossible for him to play in.

"It was too bright," he said.

"The sun was ridiculous. I couldn't squint so that was a no-no.

"Last weekend and the next two games are night games so that's alright. I have to wear shades in the day when it's sunny but it's getting better each week."

St Helens lost the game 24-14, their first defeat in the Challenge Cup since 2005.

Long will leave St Helens at the end of the season to join Hull FC, and the former Great Britain star is desperate to bring the curtain down on his career at the club in the best possible way.

"I've had 12 great years at St Helens and I want to win as many trophies as I can," he said.

"I hope to finish on a high."

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