---
title: "Long wants to come back with a bang"
canonical: "https://readsouthampton.com/2015/11/20/long-wants-come-back-bang/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Daniel Emery"
section: "News"
published: "2015-11-20T18:12:01Z"
modified: "2015-11-20T18:12:01Z"
---

# Long wants to come back with a bang

Irish forward Shane Long has [spoken](https://www.saintsfc.co.uk/news/article/20151120-shane-long-pre-southampton-stoke-city-2809630.aspx) about his eagerness to return to the Saints side against Stoke and make an impression.

Long has been missing for over a month now with a knee injury that was sustained whilst playing for The Republic Of Ireland against Poland. That game had come days after he netted the winner in Ireland’s memorable 1-0 victory of the World Champions, Germany.

He then missed Southampton’s next five fixtures and only returned on Monday, when he came off the bench for Ireland in their eventual play-off success against Bosnia that secured his Country’s place at next summer’s European Championships in France.

This means that Long is back and ready for selection tomorrow against Stoke and is keen to get back on the pitch and show what he can do; although, he knows it will not be easy given the tremendous form Southampton are currently in.

![Tony Marshall/Getty Images Sport](https://media.readsouthampton.com/readsouthampton/2015/11/4896855201.jpg)

When speaking about his return, Long said this:

> I think it would be a lot worse if I was sat in the stands and we were losing every game and there was nothing I could do.

> For the lads to be flying and to come back into a team in good form is great. I’ll be looking to help out when I can, keep training and doing what I do off the pitch to impress.

> Hopefully I can show the gaffer that I’m back to full fitness and that I’m ready to go. The team has been doing really well the last few weeks so I don’t expect to come straight back into the starting XI.

> I wouldn’t mind if I did, though!

He also spoke about how Stoke’s style of play has changed in recent years.

> They used to play the long ball and were horrible to play against – especially away from home.

> Now they don’t mind mixing it up but they try and play a lot more football.

> A few of the Irish lads play there and they beat Chelsea last time out so they are going to be on a bit of a high.

> If we turn up and play our own game I’m sure we can get the three points.

> Mark Hughes has them playing some good stuff and they’ve got some big players. Hopefully we can keep them quiet on the day and do our business going in the opposite direction to get the points.