IT’S not just Shane Long's effort and endeavour on the pitch that has got fans talking.

His impressively inked chest has caught the eye after the Saints star tweeted a picture of his bare-chested self from his hospital bed.

It was posted after the striker suffered fractured ribs during the weekend’s disappointing crash out of the FA Cup against Crystal Palace.

The injury looks set to keep Long sidelined for at least a month, as his ribs are given time to repair.

But while fans were pleased to see him with his thumbs up, his large tattoo grabbed most of the attention as supporters tried to find out what it meant.

Daily Echo:

On closer inspection the black tattoo appears to feature two verses of a children’s prayer called Infant Jesus.

The eight lines are written in italics across the left-side of his chest, and end with “Amen”.

Infant Jesus

Infant Jesus meek and mild look on me

a little child.

Pity mine and pity me, suffer me to

come to Thee.

Heart of Jesus I adore Thee, heart of

Mary I implore thee, heart of Joseph pure

and just, in these three hearts I place my

trust.

Amen

The Republic of Ireland international is not the only Saints star who has turned heads with their impressive tattoos.

Nathaniel Clyne has one on his left arm, which illustrates him as a three-year-old child holding a football.

While Southampton legend Rickie Lambert has Liverpool FC’s Liver bird crest inked on his shoulder.

But while they might look quite striking, having a tattoo can be extremely painful, as Saints new loan signing, Eljero Elia, knows only too well.

The Dutch international had to be sidelined when he played for German side Werder Bremen as one of his tattoos went septic.

Long, who signed for Saints from Hull in August for an undisclosed fee, believed to be £12m, came on as a substitute as Saints were chasing the game on Saturday against Crystal Palace.

But he lasted just 14 minutes, as he clattered into a Palace defender, which has left him in hospital.

His loss will be felt on the pitch as he has been an important part of Ronald Koeman’s squad.

Long has bagged four goals this season, including a match winner against Ipswich in Saints FA Cup replay at Portman Road and a tap-in against Stoke City in a 3-2 League Cup victory.

Have you got a tattoo? Snap it and share the story behind it, then send it to: tara.russell@ dailyecho.co.uk to feature in our Tattoo of the Week feature in Your Lifestyle or Tweet @dailyecho.