Long facing 12 weeks out

Hull have confirmed that injury-hit scrum-half Sean Long will miss the next three months at least after dislocating his shoulder.

The 34-year-old suffered the injury while making a tackle on Ben Galea in Sunday's defeat to Hull KR at Craven Park.

The game was Long's first match back after a six-week absence due to a badly fractured thumb he sustained against the same opponents in April.

"While initial examinations from a specialist didn't deliver the worst possible news, he still requires surgery and will face at least 12 weeks in rehabilitation," a Hull statement read.

"It does mean he has an outside chance of returning before the end of the season, especially if Hull reach the end-of-season play-offs.

"However, it will certainly be a race against time to get him fit."

Long has endured a disappointing time with injuries since joining last year following 12 glorious seasons with St Helens.

He picked up groin and calf injuries last season, while he also dislocated his elbow against the Catalan Dragons.

He is out of contract at the end of this campaign and has expressed his wish to earn a new deal with Hull.

Coach Richard Agar said on Sunday that Hull "owed" it to Long to allow him to recover before deciding his future.