West Bromwich Albion manager Roy Hodgson has said that he understands the Republic of Ireland's decision to include Shane Long in their squad, despite his current injury.
The striker was ruled out by the Baggies for six weeks after he picked up a knee injury in their win at Aston Villa last weekend.
Ireland take on Estonia in the first leg of their Euro 2012 playoff in two weeks, but Hodgson is okay with Long's inclusion.
"The prognosis from the doctors and medical experts is that Shane will be out for six weeks," he told reporters.
"But I quite understand why an important player like Shane is included in the squad because there is nothing to stop [manager] Giovanni Trapattoni being optimistic.
"There have been lots of cases in the past where people have been diagnosed with an injury which will take longer than it actually takes."
West Brom take on Hodgson's former club Liverpool at the Hawthorns tomorrow (Saturday).
Jack Prescott
