Long withdraws from Ireland squad

Ireland are under new management, with Mick McCarthy back in charge for a second spell, and Long is one of the most experienced members of his squad with 82 caps to his name.

But the 32-year-old was forced off with injury in Saints’ last game before the international break, against Tottenham Hotspur, having come on as a half-time substitute.

Long had hoped to feature in Ireland’s opening qualifiers against Gibraltar and Georgia this month, but will now return to Staplewood to aid his recovery.