Long won’t celebrate at Reading even if he nets hat-trick

Shane Long says he won’t celebrate if he scores against his old club Reading when West Brom visit the Madejski Stadium on Saturday.

“It will be strange to go back and play against them and be in the away dressing room, but I’m looking forward to it,” he said.

“It was probably one of the first games I looked for when the fixtures came out at the start of the season. The first priority is getting three points for West Brom.

“If I scored a hat-trick I wouldn’t celebrate any of the goals, but first things first, I want to get West Brom as high up the table as possible and hopefully Reading will win every game after that.”

Long scored in West Brom’s 1-1 draw with QPR in the FA Cup at the weekend, but the Irish striker — whose future at the Hawthorns has been the subject of much speculation with the opening of the transfer window — had to be content with coming off the bench in their last Premier League game.

“Obviously we’ve got 20-odd players and everyone wants to start games,” he said.

“There is competition up front, but if I do get the nod I’ll be delighted to play at the Madejski again.

“Hopefully we’ll get three points there no matter what the selection is. I have nothing but respect for Reading, the supporters and everybody involved.”

Meanwhile, as expected, Hull City have confirmed the double-signing of Irish internationals David Meyler and Robbie Brady on permanent deals from Sunderland and Manchester United respectively. Both players impressed during loan spells with the club over the last couple of months and have been key figures in the team’s rise up the Championship table into the automatic promotion places.

Meyler, who has netted three goals from midfield in 10 appearances since joining on loan in November, has penned a three-and-a-half year deal for an undisclosed fee.

Brady has also committed the next three-and-a-half years to the Tigers, again for an undisclosed fee.