West Bromwich Albion assistant manager Keith Downing has backed Shane Long to be at his peak when this summer's European Championships come around.
The 25-year old Republic of Ireland international has had a stop-start debut season with the Baggies, mainly because of a knee injury which was caused by a tackle from Aston Villa's Alan Hutton earlier in the campaign.
But Downing feels the former Reading man is closing in on his best form which has come at a great time with the Euros up in just over six weeks.
"But we are now seeing signs that he's coming back to full fitness and he was a constant menace against Liverpool (on the weekend).
"It's important for him to finish the season strongly with Euro 2012 coming up with the Republic of Ireland.""Shane has been blighted by different things since that Alan Hutton tackle and had a stop-start season," Downing said.
