We all suspected the worse when Shane Long was stretchered off in Warsaw. The goalscoring hero from the German game was on the receiving end of a hard challenge and appeared in agony as he went off. With Daryl Murphy failing to fire and Robbie Keane relegated to an impact substitute role, it wasn't looking good for our play-off hopes.
Manager Martin O'Neill said after the game that he wasn't sure whether or not the challenge would rule the striker out of the crucial November double header. However, in a week where our rugby team lost two key players to injury, the football team received some very positive news earlier today.
Upon his return to Southampton, Long was assessed by their medical staff who revealed that there was no break or ligament damage from the tackle and that the striker will likely return to action within a fortnight.
This comes as a huge boost after the UEFA seeding confirmed we will not be seeded for the play-off's meaning we face the prospect of a showdown against Sweden, Hungary, Ukraine or Bosnia.
Related:The Euro 2016 Seedings Have Been Confirmed
Related:Ranking Ireland's Playoff Opponents In The Order We Want Them
