SHANE LONG IS expected to face a race to be fit for Ireland’s vital Euro 2016 qualifier against Poland, after several media outlets today ruled the striker for around six weeks.
Long suffered two broken ribs and a punctured lung shortly after coming on during the Saints’ FA Cup tie with Crystal Palace at the weekend.
The estimated length of his absence means he could still be available for Ireland’s home qualifier with Poland on 29 March, but even if he does recover, his fitness levels and lack of first-team action may be an issue ahead of the game.
Moreover, even if he is ready in time, there is no guarantee that Long will start, with the Tipperary native omitted from the starting lineup in three of Ireland’s four Euro qualifiers so far.
Graziano Pelle is now Southampton’s only fit striker, and on Long’s injury, coach Ronald Koeman said: “For sure Shane will miss the next few weeks. It’s a pity because we don’t have that number of players to go with all the injuries that we have.
“We knew before the season if we get this kind of number of injured players then we will get problems, that’s normal.”
