Shane Long to miss Austria clash

Shane Long has been ruled out of Ireland’s World Cup qualifier against Austria next month.

The bad news for Martin O’Neill was confirmed after the striker underwent a scan yesterday which revealed a fracture in his foot.

Long sustained the injury in last weekend’s 2-1 victory for Southampton against Middlesbrough, an eventful game for the Irish international during which he set up a goal and missed a penalty before being substituted three minutes from the end of normal time.