---
title: "Fonte says Long can replace Pelle"
canonical: "https://readsouthampton.com/2015/11/25/fonte-says-long-can-replace-pelle/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Daniel Emery"
section: "News"
published: "2015-11-25T17:23:02Z"
modified: "2015-11-25T17:23:02Z"
---

# Fonte says Long can replace Pelle

Southampton captain Jose Fonte has [backed](https://uk.reuters.com/article/2015/11/25/uk-soccer-england-sou-fonte-idUKKBN0TE10O20151125?rpc=401) Irish forward Shane Long to replace suspended striker Graziano Pelle when Saints clash with Manchester City this weekend.

Pelle is suspended for the match following his fifth yellow card of the season against Stoke. The Italian rashly kicked the ball away following a foul being given against him and that poor move from Pelle has led to him missing the big match at The Etihad this week.

Shane Long is more than expected to fill in for Pelle for the match and Fonte has backed him to do so and ‘fill his boots’ so to speak. He only returned to the Southampton side last weekend following an injury that had kept him out of action for over a month.

![Bryn Lennon/Getty Images Sport](https://media.readsouthampton.com/readsouthampton/2015/11/4981656121.jpg)

However, Long will see this as a huge chance to show Koeman and the rest of the team what he can do; staking a claim for more starts in the future.

Speaking about Pelle’s absence, Fonte said this:

> Well, we have other players in the team so we need to deal with it. We’ll still play with 11 there so we should be all right.

> Obviously he’s (Pelle) an important part in our team and it is going to be difficult without him.

> But we have trust in the other players as well. We all know the philosophy that we have and we’ll try and play our game there.

> It is a good opportunity for Shane to show that he can play up there as well. He’s going to have his chance there so let’s hope he can get some goals.