SHANE Long admits he may have irritated Ronald Koeman by playing for the Republic of Ireland but reckons the Saints boss trusts him.

Saints manager Koeman did not expect Long to play for the Republic in their vital Euro 2016 play-off victory over Bosnia, as he was still recovering from an ankle injury.

However, the striker, who made his Saints comeback after six weeks out on Saturday, made himself available for the second-leg and helped the Republic to reach the finals of the tournament in France next summer, playing 35 minutes.

Koeman admitted that he was surprised by Ireland’s decision to play Long after just one training session after a long time on the sidelines, but the player himself was delighted that he was able to go and play.

“I was surprised myself to be involved after five or six weeks out,” he said.

“But I was delighted to be playing for my country and getting more caps on there and being part of what was a massive night for Irish football.

“I’m sure the gaffer was annoyed because after six weeks out — it’s not what you want one of your players to be doing.

“But I think he knows me well enough. I’ve been in the game long enough to know when I’m able to play.”

The 28-year-old added that he and the rest of the Saints team hadn’t been tired out by the international break during the 1-0 defeat to Stoke at St Mary’s.

“The management are good at getting us in on the Thursday and doing a short sharp session with the lads that have played on the Tuesday and getting them in and getting them recovered,” he said.

“I’m sure the lads were all fresh legged and ready to go. It just didn’t happen for us.

“The break of the ball didn’t go for us, the decisions didn’t go for us sometimes that happens.”

Long may well be tasked with leading the line for Saints as they take on Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium on Saturday.

With Graziano Pelle serving a one game ban after picking up his fifth booking of the season in the defeat to Stoke, Koeman will be assessing his options in attack.

With Jay Rodriguez injured, Long is the obvious choice to play through the middle rather than in the deeper role he has often occupied during his time at St Mary's.

Utilising Sadio Mane as an out and out striker is another option, but Koeman may prefer to play him in a deeper position off of Long.

The two were particularly effective in those roles when Saints played Chelsea at Stamford Bridge last season.