The chances of Shane Long playing on Friday night for the Republic of Ireland are wearing very thin.
The goal hero against Germany hasn’t played a minute of club or international football since injuring his ankle against Poland last month. And, despite originally being diagnosed with a two-to-three week layoff, the Southampton striker is yet to train with his country.
Ronaldo Koeman confirmed last Thursday that Long had rejoined training with the Saints but he did not feature during the side’s win over Sunderland and, since the national squad returned to Dublin, he hasn’t taken part in any training.
On Wednesday morning in Abbotstown, Ireland trained with 25 of their 30 players again.
Shane Long remains in Southampton doing his own work with the physios and doctos and O’Neill is being updated on an hourly basis.
John O’Shea is still absent, as too is new Newcastle hero, Rob Elliot.
Alan Judge and Paul McShane are also yet to rejoin Martin O’Neill’s squad for training.
Goalkeepers
David Forde (Millwall), Keiren Westwood (Sheffield Wednesday), Darren Randolph (West Ham United), Rob Elliot (Newcastle United)
Defenders
Richard Keogh (Derby County), Marc Wilson (Stoke City), Seamus Coleman (Everton), Cyrus Christie (Derby County), John O’Shea (Sunderland) , Alex Pearce (Derby County), Shane Duffy (Blackburn Rovers), Ciaran Clark (Aston Villa), Paul McShane (Reading), Stephen Ward (Burnley), Robbie Brady (Norwich City)
Midfielders
James McCarthy (Everton), Jeff Hendrick (Derby County), Darron Gibson (Everton), Harry Arter (Bournemouth), Glenn Whelan (Stoke City), Aiden McGeady (Everton), James McClean (West Bromwich Albion), Alan Judge (Brentford), David Meyler (Hull City), Wes Hoolahan (Norwich City)
Forwards
Jonathan Walters (Stoke City), Robbie Keane (LA Galaxy), Shane Long (Southampton), Daryl Murphy (Ipswich Town), Kevin Doyle (Colorado Rapids)
