Trap short with Long

Giovanni Trapattoni has insisted that Shane Long’s future as an Irish international under his management is not in any doubt, despite the Italian’s evident anger yesterday in the wake of the mini-controversy surrounding the player’s fitness for Wednesday night’s scoreless draw against Serbia.

Having originally been named in the starting line-up, Long lost his place to Simon Cox because, according to the Irish management, of a calf problem picked up in training. However, after the game, the West Brom striker told reporters: “I’m not injured, I’m fully fit.”

Trapattoni was almost literally hopping mad when asked in Dublin yesterday about the player’s comment but, having calmed down, insisted that Long’s international hopes had not been jeopardised because of the row.