Transfer news

Clarke: Long is not for sale

July 29, 2012
By ESPN staff

West Brom manager Steve Clarke has insisted striker Shane Long is not for sale, but admitted that Albion have rejected a bid - believed to be from Blackburn - for another Republic of Ireland international forward in Simon Cox.

West Brom's Shane Long celebrates with team mate Nicky Shorey after scoring the equaliser.
PA PhotosWest Brom's Shane Long celebrates with team mate Nicky Shorey

Long has been the subject of speculation linking him with a move back to his former club Reading.

But Clarke said: "There has been nothing regarding Shaun. There have been no bids and he is not for sale. His future is with us 100%.''

Cox has struggled to win a first team place at The Hawthorns in the face of competition from the likes of Long, Peter Odemwingie and Marc-Antoine Fortune.

He was left out of the squad for the friendly at Barnsley.

Clarke said: "A club has put a bid in for him. It wasn't accepted but Simon didn't feel he was quite right to play.''