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FA Cup fourth round: Shane Long suffers suspected fractured ribs during Southampton's defeat to Crystal Palace

Southampton manager Ronald Koeman celebrates with Shane Long after winning the Capital One Cup Fourth Round match
Image: Shane Long: Suffered suspected fractured ribs during the defeat to Palace

Shane Long could be facing weeks on the sidelines after suffering suspected fractured ribs during Southampton’s 3-2 FA Cup defeat to Crystal Palace.

Long came on during the second half at St Mary’s but lasted less than 20 minutes before he was helped off following a collision with Palace defender Joel Ward.

The Republic of Ireland striker, whose stunning goal knocked out Ipswich in the previous round, was taken to hospital and is likely to join a lengthy injury list which includes Morgan Schneiderlin, Toby Alderweireld and Victor Wanyama.

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"I spoke to the doctor and he thought he will have fractured one or two ribs and that's very painful," said Saints manager Ronald Koeman.

"It's a pity because we don't have that number of players to go with all the injuries that we have.

"I don't know (how long he is out). Normally three, four, five weeks."

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