Shane Long: Leaving newborn son to travel with Southampton was 'tough'

Shane Long hopes to inspire Southampton's bid to reach the Europa League knockout stages after leaving his newborn son for Thursday's visit to Sparta Prague.

Should they win at the Generali Arena and Hapoel Be'er Sheva not defeat Inter Milan, the Saints' progress from Group K will be secured, even with one remaining fixture at home to the Israelis in December.