Shane Long hopes to keep his place in Southampton's line-up for their clash with Burnley.

For the first real time since his £12m move to Saints last summer, Long was handed the chance at Chelsea to start a Premier League game in his favoured position.

"Obviously, I was delighted to play up front and delighted that the gaffer had that confidence in me to go out there and play that striker role," said the Republic of Ireland international.

"I've been biding my time for a while now, waiting for my chance, and hopefully the gaffer's seen enough today to keep me in there, but, if not, I'll be ready and raring to go whenever he needs me."