O'Neill hopeful as O'Shea and Long resume training

The Republic of Ireland boss will assess the Sunderland defender and Southampton striker after the duo resumed training ahead of the Euro 2016 play-off

John O'Shea and Shane Long remain in contention for the second leg of Republic of Ireland's Euro 2016 play-off against Bosnia-Herzegovina, manager Martin O'Neill has revealed.

O'Neill's side take a 1-1 scoreline back to Dublin for Monday's return match after Robbie Brady's 82nd-minute goal was cancelled out by Bosnia captain Edin Dzeko three minutes later.

It was an impressive performance from Ireland amid heavy fog in Zenica on Friday, and O'Neill will assess the prospects of experienced defender O'Shea and striker Long bolstering their number after the duo trained on Sunday.

O'Shea was suspended for the first game but has not played since suffering a hamstring injury in Sunderland's derby win over Newcastle United in the Premier League last month.

Long memorably fired in a shocked winner to sink world champions Germany 1-0 at the Aviva Stadium in Ireland's penultimate qualifier before sustaining an ankle injury next time out against Poland.

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