SAINTS striker Shane Long has handed Republic of Ireland a fitness boost ahead of tonight’s Euro 2016 showdown with Bosnia.

Long, who missed the first leg in Zenica on Friday night through injury, was involved in yesterday’s warm-up in Abbotstown before the closed section of the session got under way.

Defender John O’Shea and striker Jonathan Walters, who were both suspended for the 1-1 draw at the Bilino Polje Stadium on Friday, also trained.

Ipswich striker Daryl Murphy, who led the line in Long’s absence in the first leg, was the only man to sit out the warm-up.

O’Neill will hope Sunderland defender O’Shea, who has not played since damaging a hamstring in the Wear-Tyne derby on October 25, and Long, who limped out of the 2-1 defeat in Poland on October 11 with a foot problem, are both available as the campaign draws to a close at the Aviva Stadium.

Robbie Brady’s strike in Bosnia handed the Republic a precious away goal, meaning a 0-0 draw or any victory will be enough to book a trip to France next summer.

Long had been in fine form prior to his injury, with six goals in 12 appearances for club and country this season.

Two of those goals came off the bench for the Republic in Euro 2016 qualifying action.

The first was low-key, in a routine 4-0 win in Gibraltar.

But the second more high profile – the winner against world champions Germany in Dublin last month.

Two of Long’s four Saints goals this term also came after he had been introduced as a sub – against Vitesse and Newcastle in the first two games of the season.

Long’s two other Saints goals came in a 6-0 League Cup romp at Championship club MK Dons.

Long is aiming to join some of his Saints colleagues at next summer’s Euro finals. At present, Graziano Pelle (Italy), Steven Davis (Northern Ireland), Jose Fonte and Cedric Soares (Portugal) and Ryan Bertrand (England) have already qualified.