Shane Long’s future will be decided in the summer after Claude Puel tried to downplay questions over the striker’s future.

Long’s fantastic form in the second half of the last campaign saw him voted the Daily Echo Player of the Season, but he has slipped down the pecking order this time out.

The Republic of Ireland international has cut a frustrated figure as he has been restricted to just nine Premier League starts this season, with a further 20 top flight appearances off the bench underlining his current status.

There are major question marks over the future of Jay Rodriguez this summer, and Puel did little to dispel thoughts that Long, who has scored five goals in all competitions this season, could potentially move on as well.

“We will see all this at the end of the season,” said Puel when asked about Long’s future.

“Of course, a striker, all the players, want to play, but it’s another profile like then Gabbiadini for example.

“He has quickness and he can give other solutions, “We will see if we have the opportunity to have a different profile striker and we will see until the end of the season and after another thing.

“We will see at the end of the season.”

Puel was asked whether he had told Long this and replied: “It’s not the moment to speak, to have conversations about this.

“All the player stay with a good concertation, a good focus, about the last five games now and it’s important to speak in the good moment. This is not a good moment for me.

“It’s important to finish with five good and strong games.”

Long has found himself behind firstly Charlie Austin, and more lately Manolo Gabbiadini, and is likely to find himself at least third choice again next season under Puel if he stays.

However, Gabbiadini has struggled to hit his stride again after an injury following his run of five goals in six games.

His last goal came at the start of March, and the Italian’s movement also seems to have suffered since his return to the side.

“He has to find again the good rhythm, the rhythm on the run, but it is also difficult like today for a striker to make a good situation and good opportunities and good chances because we cannot play high on the pitch with good moves, quality and chances,” reflected Puel.

“It is difficult for an offensive player, difficult for a striker.

“We know his quality and we will see until the end of the season.”