Shane Long contemplating retirement this summer

Shane Long has admitted that he is contemplating bringing the curtain down on his career.

The 88-time Republic of Ireland cap was part of the Reading squad which was relegated from the English Championship this season and with the 36-year-old's contract due to expire at the end of next month, the ex-West Brom, Hull and Southampton forward suggested that he would weigh up the possibility of retirement.

In comments to BBC Radio Berkshire, Long said: "I'm going to speak to my family but in my head, I think enough is enough.

"I’m 37 next January. We’ll see. I’m going to spend time with my family over the summer and weigh up the pros and cons after that. I feel good, my body does feel good, but I suppose the older you get the more it’s about recovery and getting your body going again.

"When you’re playing Saturday-Tuesday-Saturday-Tuesday it takes its toll. I don’t want to come back for one more year and just be injured. I’ll see how I feel in the summer."

The Tipperary native's final Ireland cap to date came against Qatar in March 2021.

He scored 17 goals for the Boys in Green, including a famous winner against then-world champions Germany which contributed to qualification for Euro 2016.

Earlier this year, Long claimed he knew his Ireland career was drawing to a close when he was asked to unwittingly pass on his No 9 jersey to Adam Idah.

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