West Bromwich Albion boss Roy Hodgson has no problem with Shane Long's call-up to the Republic of Ireland playoffs squad.

Long was ruled out for up to six weeks on Monday after suffering severe bone bruising and a bone chip to his right knee in last Saturday's 2-1 win at Aston Villa.

"They realise he will only go and join up with them if he is fit to join up with them," said Hodgson.

"It's optimistic of them to include him but it's more than understandable because he's such an important player for them.

"They must be hoping - maybe against hope - that he recovers a lot quicker than the doctors think he is going to recover.

"But why not include him in the squad?

"And no-one will be happier than ourselves if what we think might take up to six weeks only takes two weeks.