Long move lights up Trap

GIOVANNI TRAPATTONI was more than happy for Shane Long to miss yesterday’s training session with the Republic of Ireland squad at Malahide after the Italian received a phone call from West Brom boss Roy Hodgson asking for permission for the striker to go to the Hawthorns to undergo a medical.

Negotiations regarding the move were being completed last night and Long will be officially confirmed as West Brom’s record signing today.

Long is expected to reunite with his Irish colleagues on the training pitch today after completing his €7 million transfer from Reading, an upwardly mobile move which Trapattoni reckons can only help the Tipperary striker realise his full potential.