Shane Long and Michael Obafemi have been left out of Mick McCarthy’s 25-man squad for the Republic of Ireland’s upcoming international fixtures.
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The Boys in Green take on Switzerland in a European Championship qualifier before locking horns with Bulgaria in a friendly.
However, there will be no Southampton player on show unless injuries occur, with striking duo Long and Obafemi excluded.
The former is yet to make the bench for Southampton in the Premier League this season but came on as Ralph Hasenhuttl’s third and final substitute in the 1-0 win against Fulham in the Carabao Cup.
Obafemi, meanwhile, is on standby and has been included in his national team’s Under-21 squad, as per the official statement, having previously been in the plans of McCarthy at senior level.
Read Southampton’s verdict
For Obafemi, this won’t come as too much of a concern. He needs to manage his fitness carefully, anyway, after coming off in the win against Fulham with cramp.
In Long’s case, however, it comes as an almighty blow. He is heading towards the end of his international career and appears to be paying the price for not featuring under Hasenhuttl this season.
His exclusion from the manager’s plans has been somewhat bizarre. While his limitations have been evident for all to see for many years now, Long played well towards the end of last term, scoring four goals in the final seven Premier League fixtures.
He has declined in an Ireland shirt in recent times but remains an option largely more dangerous than those who McCarthy has called upon.
Either way, if Long is to reclaim his place in the senior squad, he’ll need to step up at club level and prove that he is capable of performing on a consistent basis again.
