Soccer

Ireland’s Shane Long a major doubt for Bosnia play-off

Southampton boss Ronald Koeman confirms striker not fit for weekend trip to Sunderland

Shane Long is yet to return to fitness after the injury he sustained during Ireland’s loss to Poland in Warsaw. Photogrpah: Inpho
Shane Long is yet to return to fitness after the injury he sustained during Ireland’s loss to Poland in Warsaw. Photogrpah: Inpho
Thu Nov 05 2015 - 15:09

Shane Long remains a major doubt for Ireland's Euro 2016 play-off clash with Bosnia and Herzegovina next week after Southampton manager Ronald Koeman confirmed the striker is still not ready to return to action.

Long was Ireland’s hero in their 1-0 win over world champions Germany last month but was then stretchered off in the 2-1 defeat to Poland days later.

The 28-year-old is yet to feature since and while Koeman confirmed he trained on Wednesday he will not be part of Saints’ squad for their trip to play Sunderland on Saturday.

Koeman said: “Shane is still missing. He was close to coming back and he was able to do some training with the first-team on Wednesday.

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“But he is still not 100 per cent. He needs to be 100 per cent to be part of our squad and so he is not involved for the weekend.”

Long's likely absence from next week's trip to Zenica is a further blow to Matin O'Neill, who is already without the suspended John O'Shea and Jon Walters.