---
title: "Long eyeing first-team place"
canonical: "https://readsouthampton.com/2015/11/30/long-eyeing-first-team-place/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Luke Osman"
section: "Feature Writers"
published: "2015-11-30T18:32:00Z"
modified: "2015-11-30T18:32:00Z"
---

# Long eyeing first-team place

Southampton striker Shane Long has [set his sights](https://www.hitc.com/en-gb/2015/11/30/southampton-striker-shane-long-wants-to-cause-ronald-koeman-a-se/?) on a permanent first-team place after his impressive performance against Manchester City last weekend as he scored The Saints’ only goal in their 3-1 defeat at the Etihad.

The Irishman has been in and out of the Southampton side this season due to an ankle injury he sustained out on international duty as well as the excellent form of attacking trio Sadio Mane, Graziano Pelle and Dusan Tadic keeping Long out of the side.

![Michael Steele/Getty Images Sport](https://media.readsouthampton.com/readsouthampton/2015/11/4990434861.jpg)

However, Long is hopeful of getting a mid-week start after his display for The Saints last Saturday, as he looks to inflict some damage on Jurgen Klopp’s in-form Liverpool side as Southampton prepare to take on Klopp’s men in the quarter final of the Capital One Cup on Wednesday evening.

> I feel good how I’m playing at the moment and hopefully I’m giving \[the manager\] a bit of a headache to put me in the starting 11.

> We’ll rest up, recover and look forward to a big game against Liverpool. We’ve got a big enough squad now to deal with a good cup run and that’s what we want to do.

Would you start Long against Liverpool on Wednesday?