Shane Long could yet feature in November's playoff double header with Bosnia and Herzegovina, after Ronald Koeman gave an update on the severity of an ankle injury.

Long will miss Southampton's trip to Liverpool this Sunday, but the Dutch coach is optimistic that he can feature in their match against Bournemouth on the start of November.

“Shane Long is still out at the moment,” Koeman told the club's official website, “but he is progressing well.

"The weekend is too soon to be available but I hope he will be fit again for the next weekend."

Ireland travel to Bosnia on 13 November, before the return leg on 16 November.

Long scored the winning goal against world champions Germany, but was stretchered off during the first half of their game against Poland.

Martin O'Neill will still have Jonathan Walters and Robbie Keane as attacking options to choose from.