IRELAND BOSS GIOVANNI Trapattoni had to plan without his usual strike partnership of Robbie Keane and Kevin Doyle since Saturday.

But the Italian was left with no doubt that he has an able understudy in Shane Long after last night’s performance.

The young Reading man led the line admirably on his own against Uruguay, scoring a header in the 3-2 defeat to the South American visitors. And, though wary of appearing to interfere with managers’ transfer decisions cross-channel, Trap sees a bright future for the Tipperary native.

“He did very well and the last game. He increased responsibility, now he thinks fast, he’s maturing constantly.

“Sometimes I talk with Marco [Tardelli] about [Long's future]- but I’m not manager of Fulham or other team. Stephen Kelly spent three or four months on the bench, O’Dea the same. But they show is they can play – so I can’t answer this.

“But I think the other managers can see him. Long is still young and now I think he is maturing and the Premier League is very, very strong,” he added.

Republic of Ireland v Uruguay by Globajeez

Another young player who may have designs on a step up is last night’s No 1 Keiren Westwood. The Coventry man pulled off one superb double-save as well as acquitting himself impressively thoughout.

Trap insists he now trusts the Shay Given’s replacement. ”I said always, he has a good personality, he is strong, he likes me and us also. I’m not frightened about him,” the manager said.

“I’m sure about him because he’s a goalkeeper in the first division, he has a very good presence on the pitch and I have no doubts about him,” he concluded.

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