Baggies reject Long bid

Sky Sports understands West Bromwich Albion have rejected a bid for Shane Long from the striker's former club Reading.

Ireland striker was a target for former club Reading

Sky Sports understands West Bromwich Albion have rejected a bid for Shane Long from the striker's former club Reading. Long only joined the Baggies 12 months ago from Reading on a three-year contract after spending six seasons at the Madejski Stadium. The Republic of Ireland international's debut campaign at The Hawthorns was hampered by fitness worries and he scored eight goals in 32 Premier League appearances. New Baggies boss Steve Clarke confirmed following his recent appointment that he is determined to keep the 25-year-old at the club this season. However, his resolve has been tested by top-flight new boys Reading, whose offer for their former forward has been turned down. Long originally joined the Royals in 2005 from Cork City and he scored 54 goals in 203 appearances for the club. Reading manager Brian McDermott has been active in the transfer market since winning promotion back to the Premier League and has already bolstered his strike options with the capture of Russia international Pavel Pogrebnyak.