West Brom´s Long not for sale

West Brom manager Steve Clarke said striker Shane Long will not be able to leave the club when the transfer window opens in January.

The 25-year-old has scored four Premier League goals this season to help propel Albion to the Champions League qualification places.

But Clarke has warned any potential suitors: “Clubs can want to buy Shane, they can come if they want – and the answer is ‘no’.

“I am not going to hype up other clubs and who they should be bidding for but Shane is our player and he’s not going anywhere.

“At the moment he is in a great vein of form. I’ve run out of superlatives to say about Shane.

“We are delighted with his efforts and I think the competition for places especially in the forward area is keeping everyone on their toes and we are the beneficiaries of that.”

Long has had some injury troubles, but Clarke is optimistic his striker will be up to the challenge of three games in a week against Sunderland, Swansea City and Stoke City.

“He has got tight hamstrings and we will look after him and make sure he it doesn’t become a tear which will keep him out for eight weeks,” he said.

“If Shane has to play 90 minutes he can play 90 minutes, no problem.”