Long sets sights on starting berth against Estonia

SHANE LONG has set his sights on forcing his way in the Republic of Ireland’s starting line-up for the Euro 2012 play-off with Estonia via his performances for West Brom.

Long was disappointed not to be included in the starting line-up for the decisive group match with Armenia in Dublin last week which saw Ireland secure a runners-up spot.

But the suspension of Kevin Doyle for the first leg of the play-off, and doubts over the fitness of Robbie Keane, have given Long an extra incentive ahead of next month’s fixtures.

He said: “It was disappointing not to play against Armenia but it was the right result.

“We now have Estonia in the play-offs and hopefully we can get to the Euros and make it a good summer next year.

“There are a lot of games for West Brom before that so hopefully I can stake my claim in those games.

“People say I’ve got a great chance to start with Kevin Doyle suspended and Robbie Keane injured. Kevin is missing and I would like to think I am a natural replacement for him.

“But I thought I may start the last game as well, and it wasn’t to be, so we will have to see what happens.

“Hopefully I can keep doing what I am doing here at West Brom, keep putting in performances, and the Irish manager will take note.’’

One man Ireland may have to do without against Estonia is Kevin Foley after the versatile Wolves man was ruled out for a month after he underwent surgery yesterday on a troublesome ankle.

The first leg against Estonia takes place on November 11 with the second leg taking place four days later, meaning Foley faces a race to be fit for either game.

“Kevin Foley is having an operation today,’’ Wolves manager Mick McCarthy said yesterday.

“I think it’s only going to be a little clear-up operation so hopefully it will only be four weeks.’’

Meanwhile Richard Dunne has tipped Aston Villa and Ireland team-mate Ciaran Clark for greatness.

Clark, 22, made his first Premier League start of the season in Villa’s 4-1 defeat to Manchester City on Saturday and Dunne believes the versatile youngster will come into his own in time and become a regular for Villa and Ireland.

“Ciaran just has to be patient this year,’’ Dunne told the Birmingham Mail. “He is a great lad and is going to be a brilliant player, but he is still young, especially for a centre-back.

“Eventually he will take over and become the main man at the back. He will kick on with Ireland as well. The lads who are playing at the moment have played a lot of games and Ciaran is still at the stage where he is learning. But it will come to him at some point and I’m sure he will be back in the Ireland squad soon enough.’’