SAINTS are a club under siege this week as the storm rumbles on over betting allegations which have rocked the town and the rugby league world.

Accusations that Sean Long and Martin Gleeson backed against their own club has seen Saints under the 'searchlight' of the national media.

But fans have been firing off messages of support for the two players, both on Saints fans' website and in letters to the St Helens Star.

An internal investigation led by Saints' chief executive Sean McGuire is under way, as is a probe by the Rugby Football League, which set up a telephone hotline on Tuesday for anyone with information relating to the allegations.

Neither player will be suspended during the investigations, with Saints' chairman, Eamonn McManus saying "it is only right, lawful and ethical that the players continue to be available for selection" until the outcomes of the investigations are known.

Both players have received letters from the Rugby Football League informing them they are being investigated by the governing body's disciplinary commissioner.

It has been alleged in some reports that more Saints players could come under scrutiny during the inquiry. The RFL set up a confidential telephone hotline to which "people who have information that may assist the investigation into betting allegations concerning St Helens players betting on matches can contact the investigating team".

The Rugby League refused to comment on whether the term "St Helens players" implied more players were under examination, with their spokesman saying: "We are sticking to our statement."

The Daily Mail alleges Long and Gleeson placed separate £1,000 bets on Bradford to win by at least nine points in the Easter Monday away fixture.

Both are alleged to have placed bets by telephone the night before the match with Gibraltar-based bookmakers Stan James, getting back £1,909 each, including their stakes.

Gleeson played and scored the first try. Long was among 11 players left out by coach Ian Millward, apparently because of injury.

There is no accusation the players were involved in match-fixing, but under RFL by-laws players and others linked to a club are not allowed to place bets on matches involving clubs, nor are they permitted to bet on games on which they have inside knowledge not generally available.

A RFL spokesman has confirmed punishments can range from life bans from the game, to a reprimand, suspension and fines.

The investigation will be headed by Norman Sarsfield, the RFL's disciplinary commissioner, while Gary Haigh, a former senior police officer, will lead a team of investigators. The Daily Mail has already passed documents to the RFL.

Some reports have suggested the inquiry could last up to a month, but the RFL said that is "purely speculation" and the probe will simply take as long as "necessary to ensure a full and thorough investigation is carried out".

The betting allegations followed heavy criticism that was heaped on Saints after the under-strength side fielded against Bradford.

Rumours that the Knowsley Road club were planning to put out a side including a host of academy players passed around the rugby league community through word of mouth and text messages on the weekend prior to the match.

It has also been suggested that there was heavy betting by townsfolk on Saints to lose. Some bookmakers are said to have turned away bets of up to £1,000 on Monday morning. Nationally, bookmakers William Hill said Bradford had been heavily backed to win. Spokesman, Graham Sharpe, said: "Even with a telescope we couldn't find anyone to back St Helens. This was a particularly one-sided contest in terms of punters versus bookmakers - but there is no law against that - we won't be crying foul over it."