MX23RW : Friday, January 31 09:48:45| >> :600:1032584:1032584:

Martin O'Neill: 'Injured Shane Long upbeat over Republic of Ireland playoff'

Martin O'Neill says that injured striker Shane Long is optimistic over his chances of being fit for the Euro 2016 playoff tie with Bosnia-Herzegovina.

Republic of Ireland boss Martin O'Neill has revealed that striker Shane Long is upbeat over his chances of facing Bosnia-Herzegovina in next month's Euro 2016 playoffs.

The Southampton hitman came off injured in last week's 2-1 defeat in Poland, before being ruled out for up to four weeks with an ankle problem.

"We have a couple of weeks," O'Neill told reporters after Sunday's draw in Nyon. "I spoke to Shane a few days ago and he's optimistic.

"Like anything else sometimes with these injuries you're going well and then four or five days when the injury doesn't seem to be healing as quickly as you'd imagine."

The Irish are scheduled play the first leg away between November 12-14, before the return leg at the Aviva Stadium, which will take place between November 15-17.

ID:253081: cacheID:253081:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:1693:
Written by
Shane Callaghan
Restore Data
Share this article now:
New Ireland Manager Martin O'Neill looks on prior to the UEFA Champions League Group A match between Real Sociedad de Futbol and Manchester United at Estadio Anoeta on November 5, 2013
Read Next:
Ireland draw Bosnia-Herzegovina in playoff
>
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool22165154213353
2Arsenal23138244212347
3Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest2313553327644
4Manchester CityMan City23125647301741
5Newcastle UnitedNewcastle23125641271441
6Chelsea23117545301540
7Bournemouth23117541261540
8Aston Villa2310763435-137
9Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton2381053531434
10Fulham238963431333
11Brentford2394104240231
12Manchester UnitedMan Utd2385102832-429
13Crystal Palace236982630-427
14West Ham UnitedWest Ham2376102844-1627
15Tottenham HotspurSpurs2373134637924
16Everton225891928-923
17Leicester CityLeicester2345142549-2417
18Wolverhampton WanderersWolves2344153252-2016
19Ipswich TownIpswich2337132147-2616
20Southampton2313191653-376


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!