Long fears losing his place after Baggies dismissal

Anthony Smith • Published 15 Feb 2010 12:00 0 Comments

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SHANE LONG fears his latest red card shame may cause him long-term damage.

Long picked up his second straight red of the season in Saturday's 2-2 FA Cup fifth round draw against West Bromwich Albion resulting in a hefty four-match suspension.

The in-form 23-year-old will miss Wednesday's relegation six-pointer against Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park (8pm ko) as well as a trip to Blackpool this Saturday (3pm ko).

He will also be banned for the cup replay at the Hawthorns next Wednesday night and a crucial Championship home game against Sheffield Wednesday.

The Republic of Ireland striker, who has scored four times in his last four games, will be available for selection for the trip to Scunthorpe United on Saturday, March 6.

However, whether Long will still be in the picture remains to be seen and his absence is a massive blow to boss Brian McDermott and Royals' survival chances.

Long admitted: "I'm so disappointed. I'm gutted to be missing four games.

"I feel like I've been playing well and my fitness is right up there. I suppose the only good thing about it is that I will be out for only two weeks.

"We've still got Simon Church, Grzegorz Rasiak and Gunnar Thorvaldsson so we have plenty of options up front.

"I know they will do well so it could be hard to get my place back in the team. I need to get my head down over the next fortnight and work hard in training to keep myself in the frame."

Long was given his marching orders my referee Chris Foy just three minutes into the second-half following an ugly challenge on Baggies defender Abdoulaye Meite.

It was his second straight red of the season following his sending off in a 2-1 defeat at Derby County in November, and therefore carries an extra game's suspension.

Long, though, felt the decision was harsh.

"It's frustrating when the ref doesn't help you out," he suggested. "There was a challenge on Brynjar Gunnarsson just before I thought should have been a sending off.

"It was getting a bit rowdy and I think the referee wanted to put his mark on the game.

"It was a one-footed challenge, my feet weren't off the ground. They said my studs were showing but I can't see how you can make a challenge without your studs showing sometimes.

"I'd never been sent off before Derby, though that was probably more of a red because I did catch their player.

"This time I barely missed the ball and caught him with the back of my foot.

"I suppose I'm not getting much protection from referees but I need to take the positives.

"We were unlucky not to win the game. We can be proud of our performance and hopefully we can go to West Brom and get the right result."

Jimmy Kebe scored Reading's fastest ever goal after just nine seconds before Robert Koren equalised on 16 minutes.

Church then put Reading in front again in the 73rd minute only for Joe Mattock to net an equaliser three minutes from time to deny Royals their a place in the quarter finals for the first time in 83 years.

Baggies were also reduced to 10 men when second-half sub Youssuf Mulumbu picked up two yellow cards in the space of 16 minutes.

McDermott will now have to make changes for the trip to Crystal Palace, with Rasiak likely to come in for Long.

Leading goalscorer Gylfi Sigurdsson could also be recalled as he battled back from a knee injury.

Reading were beaten 4-2 by Palace at Madejski Stadioum in December and Long stressed: "There are two big games coming up with Palace and Blackpool and six points up for grabs.

"We've got to get our heads back on it and make sure we get the right results."

READING will have another home draw in the FA Cup quarter finals if they beat West Brom in a fifth round replay next week.

Royals would face with Crystal Palace or Aston Villa who drew 2-2 at Selhurst Park.

The quarter final tie would take place at Madejski Stadium on the weekend of March 6 and 7.

FA Cup quarter-final draw: Chelsea v Manchester City or Stoke; Fulham v Bolton or Tottenham; Reading or West Brom v Crystal Palace or Aston Villa; Portsmouth v Birmingham.

Meanwhile, Reaing's league fixture against Newcastle United scheduled for Tuesday, February 23 has now been postponed.

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