Saints to call on star duo

Skipper Cunningham will have a pain-killing injection in his broken hand while Long has taken advantage of a week off to recover from a calf injury in time for Saturday's semi-final showdown with Wigan.

"I can't think of many players who have played in more big games than Sean and Keiron and it's certainly something we will look to draw on this week," said Saints back row forward Wilkin.

"Those two guys are probably the most experienced big-game players in the sport so to have that as a resource in the week building up to a big game is priceless."

Long, who last week celebrated his 33rd birthday, will be making his farewell appearance at Knowsley Road as he prepares take up a two-year deal with Hull and coach Mick Potter is hoping he can bow out on a high at Old Trafford a week later.

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

Wilkin believes the controversial former Great Britain scrum half is among a dying breed and tantalisingly warns that much of his private life will be revealed in his autobiography which comes out this weekend.

"Longy has been one of the iconic players in the modern game," he said. "I'm sure he's a dying breed. In terms of characters in the game, he's not robotic at all, he's a player who plays off instinct and that is probably something we lack in this country, instinctive players. We will certainly miss him.

"I've no doubt his book is going to toss up some interesting stories. I've read bits of it and it's pretty fiery. I wouldn't advise your kids to read it."