Irish striker Shane Long has set his sights on forcing his way in Ireland's starting line-up for the crucial Euro 2012 play-off games against Estonia.
Long was a surprise ommission for the decisive group match with Estonia in Dublin last week, which saw Ireland secure a runners-up spot.
But the suspension of Kevin Doyle for the first leg of the play-off, and doubts over the fitness of Robbie Keane, have given Long an extra incentive ahead of next month's fixtures.
Long was again man-of-the-match for West Brom during Sunday's 2-0 win over Wolves at the Hawthorns.
He said: "It was disappointing not to play against Armenia but it was the right result.
"We now have Estonia in the play-offs and hopefully we can get to the Euros and make it a good summer next year.
"There are a lot of games for West Brom before that so hopefully I can stake my claim in those games.
"People say I've got a great chance to start with Kevin Doyle suspended and Robbie Keane injured.
"Kevin is missing and I would like to think I am a natural replacement for him.
"But I thought I may start the last game as well, and it wasn't to be, so we will have to see what happens.
"Hopefully I can keep doing what I am doing here at West Brom, keep putting in performances, and the Irish manager will take note.
"The manager didn't say why I didn't play against Armenia. He just told me I was on the bench and to make sure to be ready if I was needed."
Simon Cox will start in attack alongside Kevin Doyle for Ireland in tomorrow's vital Euro 2012 qualifier with Armenia in the Aviva Stadium. It was widely expected that in-form West Brom striker Shane Long would partner doyle, in the event of Robbie Keane failing his fitness battle.
Stephen Kelly comes in for the suspended Stephen Ward.
Richard Dunne returns from his ban to the Irish central defence with Darren O'Dea dropping out.
Ireland team to play Armenia:
Shay Given, Stephen Kelly, Sean St Ledger, Richard Dunne, John O'Shea, Aidan McGeady, Keith Andrews, Glenn Whelan, Damien Duff, Kevin Doyle, Simon Cox.
West Bromwich manager Roy Hodgson believes club record signing Shane Long will prove to be the Barclays Premier League’s bargain buy of the season.
The Ireland international met up in Dublin with his Ireland team-mates yesterday ahead of this week’s crucial Euro 2012 qualifiers against Andorra and Armenia, 24 hours after scoring his third goal since his £5million summer move from Reading.
It was Long's first since opening the season with goals against Manchester United and Chelsea, and a welcome boost ahead of a critical week for his country in which he will be under additional pressure to score the goals which could take Ireland to the finals in Ukraine and Poland
Hodgson was delighted with the Tipperary born players' overall contribution and was keen to remind supporters that the 23-year-old has been signed as a player for the future, who just happens to have been thrust into the top flight, and international football, ahead of the normal schedule.
Hodgson said: 'I don't think we paid a lot for potential. The figures quoted are wrong, I am not saying how much it was but I have seen the quotes. He might be the bargain of the year as it turns out.
'He came from Ireland where he was playing hurling, then at 17 he went straight into Reading and became a star player within two or three years.
He got into the Irish national team and then into the Premier League, so it is a meteoric rise and we are talking about a young lad of 23/24 who started very late and is still to some extent learning the game.
'I am not at all surprised it has taken time for him to settle, in fact it has taken less time than I thought with what the Premier League is.
'He had a flying start with a goal against Manchester United and today his all-round play was very good, his target play was good and he was a threat in front and behind defender, rarely gave the ball away and of course his work rate is outstanding.
Hodgson consulted Ireland manager Giovanni Trapattoni as part of the long process of adding Long to his squad.
He saw off interest from Premier League rivals Newcastle and Stoke, and the lure of better wages, plus the prospect of top flight football after a promotion season in the Championship with West Ham or Leicester.
The experienced Hodgson also promoted the cause of West Brom striker Simon Cox before his successful summer call-up.
Cox has only started two games for his club, both in the Carling Cup, and did score against Bournemouth. He has just two substitute appearances to his name.
Hodgson revealed the fourth striker in Trapattoni’s squad, who is keeping out Newcastle’s in-form Leon Best, came close to a third at the Stadium of Light.
He said: 'I have a relationship with Giovanni and where he was exceptionally good was in transfer deadline week.
'It took a long while to get the Long transfer through and he had actually joined up with the Ireland squad but Giovanni was very good and let him spend the day with us and complete his medical.
'It suits Ireland to have him playing in the Premier League and with Doyle, Long and Keane and Cox as well. They look strong.
'Simon was in good form and was unlucky not to get on today and under normal circumstances I would have put him on with Peter not at his best but I didn't want to destroy Peter and was hoping he would produce a bit of magic late in the game. But I was wrong on that one.'
Ireland boss Giovanni Trapattoni has rewarded Shane Long for his strong start to the season at West Brom with a starting place for tomorrow’s vital European Championship qualifier against Slovakia, with Kevin Doyle the player to miss out.
Kevin Kilbane has failed to recover from a back injury and will return to Derby County this afternoon. Damien Delaney has been drafted in to the squad to replace the veteran left back.
The rest of the line-up is along expected lines, with Shay Given passing a fitness test to take his place in nets, with John O’Shea named at right back and Richard Dunne and Seán St Ledger filling the central defensive slots.
Keith Andrew and Glenn Whelan have been named in central midfield, with the wide berths going to Aiden McGeady and Damien Duff. Robbie Keane will partner Long up front.
Wigan midfielder James McCarthy will also be called into the squad later this evening after he takes part in the Under-21 match against Hungary in Sligo.
Ireland: Shay Given, John O'Shea, Richard Dunne, Sean St Ledger, Stephen Ward, Damien Duff, Keith Andrews, Glenn Whelan, Aiden McGeady, Robbie Keane and Shane Long
In form Ireland international Shane Long today admitted that West Brom must beat Stoke on Sunday to save themselves from a “bad start” to the Premier League season.
The Tipperary born international revealed the Baggies are in high spirits despite two defeats at the start of the season.
But, despite two encouraging performances, Long admitted only victory in Sunday’s Hawthorns clash with the Potters will salvage an acceptable start to the campaign.
He said: “I think we need to get three points against Stoke and then we can look back on the first three games and say ‘three good performances, we’re unlucky to not have more points but we can be proud of our work.’
“But unless we can get those three points it will be a bad start to the season. We have a big week ahead of us and we need to start making all these games count.
“It’s disappointing because we are playing very well and luck is going against us but I think that’s why big teams like Chelsea and Manchester United do so well in the league, because they grind out results and get three points when it matters.
“We need to start learning from the likes of them so, if we do go 1-0 up, we hold onto it and, at least, get one point.
“We need to start punishing them. In the first half on Saturday we could have got maybe two or three goals because they held a very high line and we got in behind them.”
Ireland striker Shane Long has been reassured that he will be a Premier League player next season, despite Reading's heart-breaking play-off final defeat on Monday.
The Tipperary born player was reunited with the Irish squad on Tuesday afternoon, 24 hours after his Royals top flight dream was killed off by Swansea City.
And Ireland's assistant manager Marco Tardelli, who has witnessed at close hand Long's transformation over the last 18 months, has told the 24-year-old he is convinced the striker will be one of the big movers in the summer transfer window.
Long is likely to have his choice of clubs during the close season if they can match Reading's £4million valuation.
For months he has been linked with moves to Newcastle, Everton & Wolves and Celtic manager Neil Lennon was among the crowd at Wembley keeping an eye on the promising young Irishman.
Tardelli said: 'I think he will be the key man in the transfer window. I see him as a Premier League player now and I think one team will come and buy him.
'He's very good now. Shane physically has become very strong, he's not scared, he's very fast, he reads the game better and he has changed. He has improved.
'He is like Aiden McGeady. When we arrived here they were very shy but now they are very strong. The experience in Russia has been very good for McGeady.
'Shane will be very sad. We saw the match and he played well but football is fantastic because after two or three days everything can change. We know Shane Long will be sad but he will be fine.'
Ireland striker Shane Long is refusing to rule out a move to the Premier League - but he insists his burning ambition is to get there with Reading.
Long was again instrumental in Reading's 2-1 win over Preston this evening, providing the pass for Jimmy Kebe to put the Royals in front and being a constant menace in front of goal.
Tonight's win moves the Royals into sixth place in the Championship and they are now right in the play-off mix and looking to continue a strong charge towards Premiership promotion.
The 24-year-old Tipperary born striker scored both goals in last Saturday's 2-0 home win against Portsmouth to take his club tally to 22 for the season.
And with three further Ireland international goals to his name this campaign, Long continues to be linked with a string of top-flight clubs including Wolves and West Brom.
But the in-form Irish hitman says the prospect of leaving the Madejski Stadium has not even crossed his mind.
Long, who signed a new contract recently until summer 2012, declared: "I think I'm performing well in the Championship and obviously the next step is the Premier League. I want to test myself against the best players in the world.
"But that's a long way away and all I'm looking for now is the next three points for Reading."
However, Long was more cautious when asked whether he may be forced to move on for the sake of his career should Reading fail to secure promotion.
"That's a hard question to answer," admitted the former Cork City player. "Obviously I want to play at the highest level but all I want to do is concentrate on the next game for Reading and take things as they come. I'm enjoying my football here, I get on well with the lads and my sole ambition is to get the Premier League with Reading."
The victory over Preston has stretched Reading's unbeaten run to nine matches and Long believes that if that continues they could even snatch the second automatic promotion spot behind champions-elect QPR.
"I'm enjoying my football at the moment and the games and the goals are coming thick and fast so long may that continue," he said. "We're going the right way about things and all of a sudden second place doesn't look far away.
"We've set our expectations high and aim for that second position so wherever we finish will be a bonus."
Long's brace last Saturday meant he is the first Reading player to score 20 league goals or more in a season since former strike partners Jamie Cureton and Martin Butler both managed it 10 years ago.
And despite the growing interest around Long's future, McDermott appears unconcerned: "I am not thinking about losing Long or any other players next season," he argued. "All we can do is train and worry about our next game.
"I think Shane has been on fire since the start of the season. He was playing well but not scoring whereas now he is getting the goals as well".
Shane Long's hunger to further his career has only been increased by his emergence as a top striker on the international stage
The Tipperary born Ireland striker scored his sixth goal in 19 senior appearances for 'The Boys In Green' in Tuesday night's 3-2 friendly defeat by World Cup semi-finalists Uruguay, and was also instrumental in winning the penalty which led to his side's second.
Long said: "They came fourth in the World Cup, so they are a very good side. One of the lads said nine of the players who started in the semi-final played again on Tuesday night, so they are obviously a quality side. They had two good centre-backs, so it was a big learning curve for me."
Ireland boss Giovanni Trapattoni played Long as the lone striker after being impressed by his performance as a replacement for the injured Kevin Doyle in Saturday's 2-1 Euro 2012 qualifying victory over Macedonia, and was again impressed by his performance.
Long admits he has benefited greatly from being a regular in the Reading starting eleven this season, and his 18 goals so far this term are testament to a player becoming a seasoned hit-man in front of goal .
The former Cork City player is constantly honing his skills, and his great performance against Uruguay was another opportunity to see just how far he has come this season.
Long added: "I am learning every day and 90 minutes every week is helping me progress. Tuesday's game is only going to add to that.
"They were good defenders. They knew what they were doing and could buy a foul as well, so it was a bit tough up there.
"But I gave as good as I got and I would like to think I caused them a bit of trouble."
Giovanni Trappatoni received a welcome boost today with the news that Robbie Keane will resume full training with West Ham this week.
Record Irish goalscorer Keane, who resumed light training early last week is now ready to rejoin the Hammers first team squad.
Ireland face Macedonia in a crucial Euro 2012 qualifier in Dublin in three weeks time and a fit Robbie Keane would be an important boost to an Irish forward line already showing top form with the recent goal scoring displays of Wolves Kevin Doyle and Readings Shane Long.
Dubliner Keane has been sidelined for almost a month after picking up a calf injury in just his second game for the Hammers following his January loan move from Tottenham.
Reading manager Brian McDermott has hailed the Irish striker partnership of Noel Hunt and Shane Long after they secured a 2-1 Championship win over Millwall at the Madejski Stadium last night.
Waterford born Hunt broke the deadlock three minutes in and even though Millwall equalised through Neil Harris, Long claimed the winner in the 55th-minute.
That took the Tipperary born striker to 16 for the season while fellow Ireland international Hunt now has six from 13 hampionship starts.
Long may also find himself with a starting birth up front in Ireland’s European Championship qualifier with Macedonia in Dublin next month, as Robbie Keane may struggle to regain fitness in time.
The Royals pair came in for praise from the manager after ensuring they claimed their first league win in seven, moving them back to within seven points of the play-offs.
"His (Long's) partnership with Noel Hunt works well," said McDermott.
"When I was chief scout I watched Noel play a lot in Scotland and he's one that defenders hate to play against.
"He didn't stop working. The last thing you want is someone to come to the Madejski and outwork us.
McDermott also revealed that Long is playing through the pain barrier as Reading try to remain in play-off contention.
"He has problems with his knee and stomach," said the Reading boss.
"I told him that if he needed a rest he would have to come and see me because I wasn't going to see him. He said he wouldn't be coming to see me."
Ireland manager Giovanni Trapattoni has named his starting team for the Carling Nations Cup opening game against Wales tomorrow evening.
Trapattonni has confirmed ten of his line-up and has yet to decide between Darron Gibson and Paul Green for the central midfield role alongside Glenn Whelan. There is no starting birth for Stoke's Marc Wilson, however it's clear that he is certainly as capable and versatile in the central midfield position, as any of the three named above.
Stoke City striker Jonathan Walters will make his first senior international start as Kevin Doyle's partner in attack having been introduced as a substitute in the last game against Norway. Shane Long is likely to play some part in the Irish front line during the game and will hope to carry his exceptional recent scoring record for Reading into the Carling Cup game.
As he indicated yesterday, Trapattoni has afforded debut caps to Ciarán Clark and Séamus Coleman.
Ireland:
Shay Given (Manchester City); John O'Shea (Manchester United), Sean St Ledger (Preston NE), Richard Dunne (Aston Villa), Ciaran Clark (Aston Villa); Seamus Coleman (Everton), Glenn Whelan (Stoke City), Paul Green (Derby County) or Darron Gibson (Manchester United); Jonathan Walters (Stoke City), Kevin Doyle (Wolves).
Ireland striker Shane Long has pledged his immediate future to Reading after another match winning performance by the in-form .
Long took his tally to six goals in his last five games with a brace in the 2-1 win over Burnley last weekend.
The Tipperary born Irish international assured Royals fans that he has no plans to leave during the January transfer window, despite strong rumours that West Ham boss Avram Grant is keen on bringing Long to Upton Park to help secure the Hammers Premiership position.
He told the Reading Evening Post: "There's always rumours going around and there were a lot in the summer as well.
"I'm enjoying my football here at Reading at the moment and I know this team is destined for big things and I want to be a part of that. I just have to concentrate on my own game and what will be will be.
"These things happen if you're scoring goals, but I'm just enjoying my football. I want to be part of a good Reading side right now."
Ireland international striker Shane Long has penned a new contract deal with Reading that will keep him at the club until 2012.
The Tipperary born player was linked with a move to Birmingham City during the summer, but the deal sees the former Cork City star extending his five year stay with the Royals.
Long who scored his first international goal for Ireland in a friendly 1-1 draw against Bolivia in 2007 impressed during last month's European qualifying games with Russia and Slovakia, scoring against Russia in Dublin and putting in a man of the match performance in the 1 -1 draw away to Slovakia.
Royals Manager Brian McDermott said, "I'm delighted Shane has committed to the club by signing a new contract with us.
In this calendar year he has scored 13 goals, more than any other member of our squad, in 2010 he has been a key reason behind our consistent home form, and he continued to make history by scoring twice against Aston Villa in our first FA Cup quarter final for 83 years.
"From a personal point of view, his winner at Anfield in January won us a memorable FA Cup game at Liverpool - a victory I'm sure was instrumental in me getting this job. I am grateful to Shane, as I am to all the players who played a part in that fantastic win.
"People sometimes forget that Shane is still a very young footballer. For a 23-year-old striker, very much still learning his trade in a difficult role, he has done a really good job for us. He is one of our own and I'm very pleased he remains completely committed to Reading Football Club."
Speaking after signing his new Reading deal Long said "I've been at the club a long time and enjoyed every year here. It's nice that the Chairman, manager and club showed faith in me and offered me a new deal. I was delighted to snap it up when I got the chance."
"I enjoy it here, I've been through ups and downs and things are looking on the up since the manager came in. He brought us up from a relegation battle, the club is back on the way up again and it's nice to be part of it."
"This is my sixth season here, I've enjoyed every one and I'm going for a testimonial!"
Ireland boss Giovanni Trapattoni has hailed the great performances of replacements Shane Long and Keith Fahey as Ireland picked up a vital point last night in Slovakia.
Long was given his chance up front because of Kevin Doyle's knee injury, while Birmingham midfielder Fahey came in for his first competitive start after Liam Lawrence failed a late fitness test.
And both played their part in the 1-1 draw, with Fahey sending over the free-kick which resulted in Sean St Ledger giving the visitors the lead, while Reading forward Long was a constant menace to the Slovakia defence.
Trapattoni said: 'I thought Shane Long and Keith Fahey played great games. For the future we can have confidence in them knowing the options we have in the squad.
'We have time in the future, our next game is a friendly. I can maybe play one or two other young players and we can start the qualification again with more confidence.'
Last night's display capped a terrific international break for Long, who scored his first competitive goal in Friday's 3-2 defeat to Russia.
Trapattoni believes there is plenty the 23-year-old still has to learn about the tactical side of the game, but he is confident the raw ingredients are there.
'We thought about it in training because he's young,' Trapattoni added. 'We played a tactical game in training.
'He can show us pace but he is still young to master the tactical side of the game. He has technical quality and in the future he will understand.'
Group B looks set to be one of the tightest groups in the whole competition, with Russia now two points ahead of Ireland, Slovakia and Armenia courtesy of their lucky 1-0 victory in Macedonia.
Defeat to Slovakia would have left The Boys In Green with a major uphill battle but Trapattoni believes the reverse fixtures next year, when they play away in Russia then at home to Slovakia, are likely to prove decisive in sorting the final standings in the group..
'We have again this combination of games,' he said. 'Our group is very balanced. Russia won but only 1-0 and Macedonia missed a penalty.
'There are many situations that can happen. It's not about today or tomorrow, there are many games. It's important we believe in our performance, our attitude and our system.'
Slovakia coach Vladimir Weiss agreed, adding: 'The group is very even and Ireland, Armenia and Russia all have great teams so it all depends on the next games.'
Ireland got their European 2012 qualifying campaign back on course with a battling draw against Slovakia in Zilina - but were left to rue Robbie Keane's missed penalty just before the end of the first half.
After Sean St Ledger's opener had been cancelled out by Jan Durica in the 36th minute, Ireland were handed a glorious chance to retake the lead in first-half stoppage time when Aiden McGeady was felled by The Slovakian goalkeeper, Jan Mucha.
But the goalkeeper made up for his error with a fine save, and, as Slovakia dominated most of the second half, Ireland were left hanging on for a point which keeps them level with their opponents in Group B.
Giovanni Trapattoni made two enforced changes from the side that lost 3-2 to Russia on Friday, with the injured Kevin Doyle and Liam Lawrence replaced by Shane Long and Keith Fahey. Both Long and Fahey impressed during the game and did not seem out of place in the starting eleven.
All the talk in the build-up to the match had been about the Ireland's perceived negative tactics against Russia and their reliance on the long ball. But they dominated possession in the early stages and, after a couple of scares when Kornel Salata headed over and Juraj Kucka shot wide, took a thoroughly deserved lead in the 16th minute.
Durica fouled the impressive Shane Long wide on the right and, when the Slovakia defence failed to deal with Fahey's free-kick, St Ledger squeezed a shot inside the post.
Midfield duo Whelan and Paul Green, who had struggled so badly against Russia, were better than their last outing, but their are clearly still big problems for Ireland in the central midfield area.
In the 36th minute, from their first corner of the game, Slovakia equalised as Hamsik's cross was flicked on for Durica to power a header in off the crossbar. Whelan was left somewhat exposed for the goal with none of the big Irish defenders guarding the back post.
Ireland should arguably should have retaken the lead four minutes later after great work from Long down the right but Keane could not get enough of a touch to turn it in. Keane is clearly suffering from the lack of first team football with Spurs and looked like a player who was missing that killer touch, that has served Ireland so well in the past.
Paul Green then picked up an injury and had to be replaced by Darron Gibson.
With the half entering injury time, Ireland were presented with a glorious chance to move back ahead when Mucha was adjudged to have brought down Aiden McGeady as he ran onto a through-ball from Richard Dunne.
Keane stepped up but his penalty was too close to the keeper, who made up for his mistake in the best possible fashion.
Slovakia started the second half with renewed purpose and Shay Given nearly paid the price for taking too long to clear as Stanislav Sestak closed in, with the ball cannoning off the striker but away from goal.
In a reverse of the first half, it was the The Boys In Green who were camped in their own half, with Whelan's ambitious volley from 40 yards the sum total of their efforts as the clocked reached 65 minutes.
Trapattoni made his first substitution in the 71st minute, bringing on Andy Keogh for the impressive Fahey, while his opposite number introduced Stoch and Filip Holosko.
Ireland had a good chance with five minutes to play when the ball broke to Keane eight yards out but, after turning smartly, the captain could not keep his shot down. And despite of the constant singing of Ireland's heroic 12th man (the supporters), who once again did the country proud with their unyealding support for the team, Ireland return home with a point.
But overall, a point is not the worst result for Ireland and they remain in the hunt for qualifiction, but with the Russian's scraping a lucky 1-0 win away in Macedonia this evening, they are clearly now the front runners to win group B.
For Trapattoni the problems surrounding the central midfield pairing continues to be a major concern with neither Whelan, Gibson or Green looking like the solution to the long term effectiveness of a strong, confident midfield. On the plus side, both Fahey and Long impressed with their positive play and direct style.
It is hoped that Trapattoni will use next month's friendly game aganst Norway to blood some of the new, upcoming players who are currently on the fringes of the squad like Marc Wilson, James McCarthy and Seamus Coleman. This will hopefully give the manager more options prior to our next qualification game against Macedonia in March 2011
Giovanni Tapattoni has named his Ireland team for the crucial European qualifier against Slovakia in Zilina this evening.
As expected, Shane Long is a straight replacement for the injured striker - Kevin Doyle, and will partner Robbie Keane up front.
The back four remains unchanged from the Russia defeat last week with O'Shea, Dunne, St. Ledger and Kilbane all starting.
The suspect midfield pairing of Paul Green and Glenn Whelan get a chance to redeem themselves for their poor performance last week and Tapattoni will be be expecting a much more commanding shift from the key central midfielders.
The only other change from the starting eleven last Friday is the inclusion of Keith Fahey for the injured Liam Lawrence on the right wing. Aiden McGeady retains his place on the opposite wing and Shay Given starts in goal.
Shane Long is ready to take the place of the injured Kevin Doyle for Ireland's crucial European qualifier against Slovakia tomorrow evening.
Ireland are looking to bounce back from Friday nights 3-2 defeat by Russia in Dublin but were dealt a serious blow yesterday when striker Kevin Doyle was ruled out of the match in Zilina with a knee injury.
With manager Goivanni Trapattoni seemingly committed to playing two up front, either Long or Doyle’s on-loan Wolves team-mate Andy Keogh looks certain to be given a start
And it's the 23-year-old Tipperary born striker Long who looks the favourite after coming off the bench to score Ireland's second goal against the Russians.
Long said: “Nothing’s set in stone yet but I’d love to get a run on Tuesday night. It’s a massive thing to play for your country and I’ve only started once for Ireland in a competitive game.
“If I get the nod, I’ll be ready. It’s nice coming off the bench when the other team’s a little bit tired but I feel like I’ve been playing well for my club and it’s nice to show what you’re about.
“With the players we have in the squad, when you do get the chance you’ve got to take it. That adds to your own game a bit when you know it’s now or never, you go out and give it your all and hopefully it’s enough.
“They’re big boots to fill so there’s going to be extra pressure on whoever comes in up front but I’m looking forward to the challenge. It’s a big game and if we can get three points it would turn the table right round.”
Ireland go into the match locked on six points with Slovakia and Russia after losing their 100% record in group B, and Long admitted the stakes have now been raised heading into what is expected to be one of the most difficult matches of the current campaign.
The striker said: “We’ve got pride and it’s not nice to lose at home but if we get a win in Slovakia it will redeem things a bit. Three from six points wouldn’t look so bad.
“At the start of the group stages we thought maybe draw our away games and try to win as many home games as we can but after Friday three points is more of a reasonable target for us.”
A lot of the focus in the aftermath of Friday’s loss has been on the Republic’s reliance on the long ball, with defender Richard Dunne particularly critical.
Long, though, has a different perspective, and is happy to take over from Doyle as the target man.
“I feel I’m good in the air as well,” he added. “Defenders don’t expect me to get up there but I can surprise them and if it comes long I’m sure I can deal with it.
“I don’t think we set out to play like that against Russia but it was hard to pass through the middle. We seemed to get a few shots off from that approach and it seemed to work so why change something that works?"
Ireland striker Kevin Doyle has been ruled out of Tuesday's European Championship qualifier against Slovakia due of a knee injury.
The Football Association of Ireland said this morning that the Wolves player had returned to his club for treatment.
Manager Giovanni Trapattoni has decided not to call up a replacement with the remaining 21 players fit to travel.
Ireland need to secure three points against Slovakia after losing 3-2 at home to Russia in Friday's Group B match. Either Shane Long or Andy Keogh are likely to replace the injured Doyle in Ireland's starting eleven.
Brendan Rodgers has praised hot-shot striker Shane Long after he scored all four of Reading’s goals in their second match in Sweden.
The 22-year-old Ireland international scored twice either side of half-time against Tolo IF on Saturday, staking his claim to spearhead the Royals attack in Rodgers’ preferred 4-3-3 formation.
Speaking after the 4-0 win, Rodgers said: “He scored four and maybe could have had three or four more, he was outstanding.
“His movements good, he’s obviously adapting to a new way of working and playing and I thought you can see he can play in that role and play with real good quality.
“He’s not just a runner and a goal-scorer ,I think you can see him developing his footballing attributes.
“His hold-up play was good and the final phase of the game in scoring goals he was prolific.”
With Welsh international Simon Church banging in four so far during pre-season, equaling his tally in one game would have given Long’s confidence a great boost.
Fellow striker, countryman and best-mate Noel Hunt also got another run-out, along with 19-year-old Nicholas Bignall who has an on-going groin problem.
Supersub Shane Long rewarded the Reading manager's faith with a crucial late winner at Sheffield Wednesday.
Hillsborough hero Long got the nod ahead of Leroy Lita on Tuesday night and the Irish youngster stepped off the bench to fired home in the 81st minute to complete a stunning fightback by Steve Coppell's men.
It was Reading's first away win since they turned over Birmingham City 3-1 at St Andrew's on December 20 and their first of any kind in five matches.
And Royals fans will be hoping this could be the result that will also reignite their flagging promotion campaign after weeks of disappointment.
Trailing to Sean McAllister's strike in first-half injury time, the visitors stormed back after the break and grabbed the cricual equaliser through Kevin Doyle before Long netted his fuorth of the season to secured the points and the headlines with the clock ticking down.
"Shane is a good player and for a couple of years now we have wanted to give him a real run in the team.
"But we're blessed with some good forwards and Shane is the best impact substitute I've got.
"He won't be happy to hear me say that, but we know something is going to happen when he comes on.
"Was it a fair result? I really don't know. It was very competitive and it could have gone either way. But we just edged it at the final whistle."
With just one point from three home games in February, Coppell was glad to see the back of a `disastrous' month that ended with defeats to Bristol City and struggling Nottingham Forest.
After changing his side against Forest on Saturday, he tinkered with his squad again by handing Jay Tabb his full league debut in place of Jimmy Kebe and naming Long on the bench instead of Lita.
But Royals boss knew better than to expect an easy game against a Wednesday side determied to avenge their 6-0 hammering at the Madejski Stadium earlier in the season.
The Owls have improved since then and boss Brian Laws made just the one change to the side which turned over Burnley 4-2 away from home at the weekend with captain Richard Wood back to replace Richard Hinds.
However, the visitors made their intentions clear from the off with Marek Matejovsky pulling the strings as the rain lashed down on Hillsborough.
It was not a night for goalkeepers, but Adam Federici was alert to snuff out the danger with Marcus Tudgay bearing down and Michael Gray sent a 25-yard free-kick whistling inches wide of the post as the Owls fought for early supremacy.
Despite the recent clump, Coppell's men were full of running and they nearly broke the deadlock in the 15th minute when ex-Sheffield United left-back Chris Armstrong skipped past two defenders but dragged his shot wide.
And eight minutes later they went closer again when Stephen Hunt's looping free-kick stuck the bar after a faint touch from Owls keeper Lee Grant.
Tabb then made a strong run to the edge of the box but his shot lacked power and frustrations began to creep in as the chances went begging.
No-one will have felt it more than Noel Hunt who went crashing to the ground in the box following a challenge from Mark Beevers. But referee Andy Hall deemed it a dive and booked the distraught Irishman.
And if that wasn't enough to make Coppell's blood boil, Wednesday then took a shock lead in first-half injury time.
The hosts lumped a hopeful ball into the area which Michael Duberry missed. Leon Clarke showed great control to kill the ball and lay it off to the on-rushing Sean McAlister who smashed it past Federici from 10 yards out.
It was a hammer blow for Coppell's men and Royals' boss reacted immediately by replacing the injured Tabb with Kebe at half-time.
And the move paid off when the visitors got back on level terms in the 56th minute after a sustained spell of pressure.
Grant made a sensational one-handed save to tip Rosenior's audacious volley around the post. Wednesday failed to clear the first corner and when Matejovsky whipped in a second the ball was flicked on to Doyle who nodded it in at the back post for his first goal since the 4-0 win over Watford on January 9.
More importantly, it also ended his side's worrying goal drought and it was the first scored by a Reading player in a whopping 598 minutes of action.
The relief was almost palpable as Reading searched for a winner and Duberry went close with a bullet header from Stephen Hunt's corner.
But the few hundred travelling fans were on the edge of their seats in the 80th minute when Clarke fired past Federici, only for the linesman to correctly rule it out for a shove on Alex Pearce.
And how it came back to haunt them as within a minute Royals got their winner.
Wednesday sub James O'Connor lost the ball in midfield to a strong Duberry challenge, Stephen Hunt burst forward then found Long lurking on the right,
The Republic of Ireland striker still had plenty to do but gave Grant no chance by drilling the ball high into the net from a tight angle to send Reading fans in front of him into a frenzy.
Wednesday threw the kitchen sink at Royals in a frantic finish and Federici denied his opposite number Grant with a tremendous save from virtually the last kick of the game.
