Long hopes to "hit the ground running"

Shane Long hopes to "hit the ground running" at Southampton next season under new manager Mauricio Pellegrino.

The 30-year-old missed the Saints' final two matches of the Premier League season, and Ireland's 1-1 World Cup qualifier draw with Austria on 11 June, after suffering a broken metatarsal during the 2-1 win over Middlesbrough at the Riverside on 13 May.

Long was limited to a bit-part role at St Mary's following the signing of Italy striker Manolo Gabbiadini from Napoli during the January transfer window, but the Ireland forward says he is looking forward to working under new boss Pellegrino following the sacking of Claude Puel on 14 June.

Long played 32 times in the Premier League last season, netting three goals, but 22 of those appearances came off the bench.

"For me, last season was a bit disappointing," said Long.

"I didn't play as much as I would have liked to and felt I didn't get the chances that I deserved at times, so I want to hit the ground running this year.

"It's the first pre-season in a long time that I've been here from the start, so I want to show the manager what I have got and leave an impression on him come the start of the season."

Former Argentina defender Pellegrino, who led Alaves to the Copa del Rey final last season and worked as part of Rafael Benitez's coaching team at Liverpool and Inter Milan, has been running an eye over his new squad during the Saints' pre-season training at Staplewood Campus.

"The first impressions are really good. We're working hard and all the work is with the football. Straight away we are working on shape and how Mauricio wants us to play," he said.

"He came in and had a quick chat about how he wants to improve us. I know he likes to have meetings, talk to the players and gets his point across well.

"It was a really tough day's work but I can already see that this season could be a very exciting season."

Image: Getty Images

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