Long off to West Brom

Soccer: Shane Long will join up with the Republic of Ireland squad after he completes a medical with West Bromwich Albion ahead of a club record €7 million move to the Premier League club. The Tipperary man, who scored 23 league goals for Reading last season, will be linking up with international team-mate Simon Cox at the Hawthorns.

Cox used to be at Reading with Long and both are exepected to start for Ireland against Croatia on Wednesday, though Kevin Doyle and Robbie Keane will see some game-time as well.

The move will be huge boost for Giovanni Trapattoni, who is eager to get as many of his international squad as possible playing at the top level. The 24-year-old’s goals fired Reading into the play-offs last season and he also played his way into Trapattoni’s thoughts with an excellent performance against Uruguay in March.

Albion manager Roy Hodgson is believed to be a big fan of his and regular Premier League football is sure to boost his international prospects, given the lack of first-team outings being enjoyed by captain Keane of late.

Long will bring the number of outfield players at Trapattoni’s disposal for the Croatia friendly to 16 when he arrives, after the Stoke City pair of Marc Wilson and Jon Walters were both released back to their club. The midfielder and striker were both carrying knocks before reporting for duty last night and it was decided neither would be match fit for the game at the Aviva Stadium.

It means Trapattoni has very little room for manoeuvre after seeing a 25-man squad reduced by seven. Aston Villa’s Ciaran Clark was added to the squad yesterday after Damien Delaney pulled out with an ankle injury.

Trapattoni was pleased the Stoke duo showed up out of courtesy and also confirmed today that James McCarthy had been in touch since injuring his ankle in a pre-season friendly against Villareal. He is to undergo a scan today and may not be fit for the start of the season. Nevertheless, the Italian has said he will not be adding anyone to the squad at this late stage.

Trapattoni was also asked about James McClean’s declaration for the Republic of Ireland after he pulled out of Nigel Worthington’s squad to face the Faroe Islands on Wednesday.

“It’s important what he said, that he clarified what he wants,” said the manager. “We always work with the aim of adding new players to our squad. But when the papers get involved it can get more complicated. He’s a good offensive wide player, tall and powerful. Now we will have the possibility of following him more."

The winger is set to join Sunderland after a €400,000 fee was agreed with the Candystripes last Friday.

The manager also said he would be happy to stay on for the World Cup qualifying campaign after Ireland were drawn in a group with Germany and Sweden.

“Every draw is good before, but I think it’s not bad. We knew that our ranking was 33 and that we were in the third pot. Before the squad was not competitive but now we have a new situation," he said. “I would be happy (to stay on) but we have to concentrate on this qualifying campaign.”

Ireland face Slovakia and Russia on the road to Euro 2012 next month. They are currently top of Group B, level on points with their rivals.

Rep of Ireland squad (v Croatia)

Goalkeepers: Shay Given, Keiren Westwood, David Forde,

Defenders: Stephen Kelly, Stephen Ward, Richard Dunne, Ciaran Clark, Sean St Ledger, Darren O'Dea,

Midfielders: Glenn Whelan, Darron Gibson, Andy Keogh, Damien Duff, Stephen Hunt, Keith Treacy,

Forwards: Robbie Keane, Kevin Doyle, Shane Long, Simon Cox.