SAINTS striker Shane Long has again been left out of Mick McCarthy’s Republic of Ireland squad.

McCarthy’s Ireland will play two Euro 2020 qualifiers against Georgia and Switzerland next week.

And Long, who was omitted from the international set-up last month, missed out despite making a number of substitute appearances for Ralph Hasenhuttl’s side.

Explaining the squad he selected, McCarthy told the Irish FA website: "I won’t even start thinking about the team for that game until the players turn up at the Hotel on Sunday and I see who we have available.

"We have injuries and suspensions and I know that better than anyone. But there's nothing I can do about them. It happens in football.

"That's why we changed almost the entire team for the Bulgaria game last month and look how well the players who came in like Josh, Alan Browne, John Egan and Kevin Long did.

"They put their hands up for selection and gave me something to think about. 

“Now it's time to think about them for Georgia and I look forward to getting back on the training ground on Monday and starting the countdown to these two massive games in earnest."

Long has played just five times for Saints this season, with all of those appearances coming from the bench.

His last goal for the south coast side came during the 3-3 thriller with Bournemouth at the end of last season.