Southampton boss Ralph Hasenhuttl insists Shane Long is not for sale.

The Republic of Ireland international, who spent the second half of last season on loan at Bournemouth, has played just 65 minutes of football for Saints this season, across three appearances.

Asked if he may have to have a conversation with Long ahead of the January transfer window regarding his playing time, Hasenhuttl told the Daily Echo: "No, because I think the clear message, especially for an experienced player is that they have to accept the different role they have when they are getting older.

“I was playing until I was 37 years old and, especially in my last years, I was very often only a joker and helped the team when they needed me for 10 or 15 minutes.

“This is the job you have to do then. This time will come for everybody who plays long because it is normal situation in every club that the older players are stepping back and that the job is done from the young ones.

“They still have an important role to play in a club, in a team, in a dressing room – to be positive with us, to support everybody and this is a job he does perfectly."