Newcastle target top Championship striker
Regardless of whether Reading barge their way into the play-offs and win promotion from the Championship - a [7.4] shot on Betfair - it appears increasingly likely that their top goalscorer Shane Long will be playing in the top-flight next season.
The Daily Mail report that Newcastle are leading the queue of clubs eager to sign the 24-year-old striker after being impressed by his intelligent line-leading display for Republic of Ireland in their 3-2 friendly loss to Uruguay in Dublin on Tuesday, during which he got on the scoresheet with a header.
Also credited with an interest are West Ham, who were alleged to have made an approach during the January transfer window, Aston Villa, Wolves and Stoke. When linked with the Irons, he pledged his allegiance to Reading by saying: "This team is destined for big things and I want to be a part of that".
Betfair Football have always been fans going back to the Royals' Premier League days when he was behind Kevin Doyle, Dave Kitson and Leroy Lita in Steve Coppell's pecking order, however it is this season that he has really started delivering on his potential.
He is the second most prolific forward in the Championship with 18 goals and 20 in 40 appearances in all competitions, and though he is still third choice behind Doyle and Robbie Keane in the Republic of Ireland set-up, he has received more opportunities for his country of late and seized each one.
Despite Newcastle posting dire financial results earlier this week, they are expected to splash out on a new striker after selling Andy Carroll to Liverpool for £35 million. They are a little short up front right now, leading some Magpies fans to fear the drop despite being four points clear of the bottom three.
Will Newcastle stay a division above Reading? They are [13.5] to go down...
Published: 31 Mar 2011
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