The Republic Of Ireland are expected to announce whether Shane Long will be fit for their play off games within the next few hours.
Ronald Koeman would be happier if Shane Long had not joined up with the Republic Of Ireland squad for their play off games against Bosnia & Herzegovina with the first game being on Friday, but he understands why the player himself is so desperate to play.
The fact that Long is in contention shows that he is close to a return for Saints, otherwise they could have refused him permission to join the squad, the worry of im doing so is that he might aggregate his injury and put him out for further games for Saints.
Long has been with the squad and it seems that Friday might be a day or two too soon, although he might be fit enough for the second leg on Monday.
Although Roy Keane seemed to suggest that Long would not be sufficiently recovered, manager Martin O'Neill has stated that Long himself does not want to be ruled out yet. that being the case they are giving him every chance to be fit and are liaising with medical staff at Saints to keep them informed.
"I think sometimes along the way, you have to try and go with the players that you know are available and who can actually start a game for you."
"Anything else, if news come through that Shane is alright, is a big bonus for us."
O'Neill also said the Irish team doctor is liaising with the medical staff at Southampton to keep management informed on "an almost hourly" basis and that he "would be able to give a better picture in the next couple of hours."
Being the type of player he is, ONeill has to decide whether Long although not quite ready for Friday night might be fit enough to be risked on Monday evening if circumstances demand it.
Saints would be happier for him not to play at all, but understand why he would want to be and seem to be trusting the Irish FA to play fair and only use him in a last resort scenario and not risk him unnecessarily.
Certainly Saints could do wit Shane Long back in the squad when the international break is over.