With just a year remaining on his contract at Southampton, Shane Long is fighting for his future at the club.
Long made the move to St. Mary's from Hull in 2014. He was subsequently given a new deal in 2016 which runs out next year.
"I don’t think I’ve earned the right to go knocking on the door and asking for more years," the 32-year-old told the Southern Daily Echo.
I think the club is an amazing club and the people here like the way I approach the game, the way I train and the way I am in the dressing room.
As a striker you need goals and I am trying to put my case forward between now and the end of the season.
Everyone knows I love it here and I know next season is going to be a big season because of the confidence the manager has instilled around the place and I want to be a part of that.
If it does come to it at the end of the season and I’m not wanted anymore, then I will still look back on my career at Southampton as a good time and something to be really proud of.
It’s hard to validate giving a new deal out if you aren’t getting the goals or the results on the pitch.
I am working as hard as I can to try and sway it in my direction and if it’s not to be then I will look to pastures new, but I don’t want that.
Long has scored just four times this season. Though, he has hit form recently, scoring three times in the last four games. He also reached 50 Premier League goal mark for his career earlier this month when he scored against Liverpool.
The good news for Long: manager Ralph Hasenhuttl appreciates what he brings to the team. The Austrian said following this week's 1-1 draw with Watford that it's a "joy" to watch the Tipperary man playing at the moment.
