Long: Trip tough without son

Shane Long has left his newborn son at home to make Southampton’s Europa League tie in Prague, with Sofiane Boufal a doubt.

Southampton will qualify for the knockout stages of the competition if they win against Sparta Prague at the Generali Arena on Thursday and Hapoel Be’er Sheva do not beat Inter Milan. 

However, Long’s preparation for the trip has been affected by the birth of son Jax Anthony in the last two weeks, though the father of three has revealed how his family life provides a positive distraction from football. 

“It has been tough,” admitted Long, when asked about leaving his son behind for the game. “We had him last Monday. He is now nine days old. We didn’t get him home until Sunday, so I’ve only had two or three days with him.

“It is amazing. It is a madhouse now with three kids under six but I’m loving every minute.

“My wife [Kayleah] knows I have to get up and train so I do the morning feed when I wake up but she looks …

continue reading in source www.skysports.com