Potter excited by crunch encounter

St Helens coach Mick Potter is happy for Sean Long to spend the lunchtime before Saturday's Super League play-off semi-final signing his autobiography.

The scrum-half, 33, who is set to play his last game at Knowsley Road against Wigan, will finish the town centre book signing three hours before kick-off.

But Potter said: "He might arrive with a tired finger, but if he wasn't signing books he'd be washing his car.

"It will make a good read. He's had an interesting history in rugby league."

The book entitled 'Longy - Booze, Brawls, Sex and Scandal' covers Long's colourful career in the sport.

Long's career has included a four-month suspension after being found guilty of betting against his own team and being thrown off Great Britain's Tri-Nations tour in 2006 after poor behaviour on a flight.

Saints chairman Eamonn McManus stated: "I've read the book and there are some amusing anecdotes.

"He's got a few things completely wrong, which it would have been nice to correct before publication, but there is nothing in there that we are too worried about."

Long, who has played the majority of his games for St Helens, is moving to Hull on a two-year deal at the end of this season and Potter is convinced that he will want to bow out on a high.

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"He is still probably one of smartest half-backs there is in Super League," added Potter.

"His vision is very good, probably the best in the game, and I'm sure if he decides to take up a coaching role in a few years when he hangs up his boots, he'll be good at that too.

"He'll want to finish on the best note possible at Knowsley Road.

"He'll want to make another Grand Final and win another Grand Final. He's been unfortunate in the last couple of years and it would be nice to go one step better."

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