Long hopes to carry top form into Swans clash

Anthony Smith • Published 14 Oct 2010 16:00 0 Comments

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SHANE Long has been paid a glowing tribute by one of the most illustrious names in football as the Reading striker aims to put Swansea City to the sword this Saturday.

The message was delivered by none other than Republic of Ireland boss Giovanni Trapattoni during a recent meeting with Royals manager Brian McDermott.

Long’s exploits for Ireland during the past week’s Euro qualifying campaign clearly impressed the Italian.

The 23-year-old made a big impact when he came off the bench to score and spark a dramatic fightback in a 3-2 defeat to Russia in Dublin last Friday.

And he continued that form with a man-of-the-match display in Tuesday’s 1-1 draw with Slovakia after starting the match in the absence of injured ex-Royal Kevin Doyle.

Now McDermott believes Long’s form bodes well for the weekend’s spicy encounter against Brendan Rodgers’ Swans.

Royals’ boss took a detour from his scouting mission in Ireland last week to seek Trapattoni’s views.

“It was a really worthwhle trip and I also travelled to Ireland’s team hotel to meet Giovanni Trapattoni and Marco Tardelli.

“They were charming people and they were happy to give me their time to talk about Shane. They told me how much he has been improving with Ireland and how his mentality is very, very good.

“His performances are getting more consistent and when he’s right on his game he is a real handful for anyone. It’s great for us and brilliant for Shane because he’s like the rest of the young players we have at Reading in that he can only get better.

“They’re nowhere near reaching their peak but they are competing week-in-week-out against teams who have spent lots and lots of money on their players.

“They’re not only competing with them, they’re beating them which is very impressive when you consider the small amount of money we have spent compared to a lot of Championship clubs.”

Reading’s strikeforce had been a major concern for McDermott given Long and Wales international Simon Church have both been involved with their countries over the past two weeks.

However, Royals boss has few concerns about playing them on Saturday when Church could come up against his Wales skipper Ashley Williams in defence.

“Shane has had a busy fortnight, he’s travelled across Europe and played twice for Ireland,” explained McDermott. “Simon did the same for Wales but both will be ready for Saturday.

“They’d play a game every day of the week if they could, their attitude is fantastic.”

Saturday’s fixture begins a three-game week which sees Royals travel to Bristol City on Tuesday (7.45pm ko) before a trip to Burnley the following weekend.

McDermott will be boosted by the return of skipper Matt Mills and Brian Howard from suspension, while fit-again trio Andy Griffin, Jay Tabb and Ivar Ingimarsson are pushing for recalls.

Hal Robson-Kanu is an injury doubt having pulled out of the Wales squad.

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