Sheffield United are preparing a bid for Southampton striker Shane Long, according to the Football Insider.

The Blades are said to be keen on signing the Republic of Ireland international on loan during the January transfer window.

It remains to be seen whether Southampton would consider letting the 31-year-old leave St Mary’s midway through the campaign.

Long is still very much part of Saints boss Mark Hughes’s first team plans, having started five games so far this season.

The Irishman is, however, currently out with an ankle injury and does have some fierce competition for a place in Southampton’s starting line up.

Hughes has three other strikers to choose from in Danny Ings, Charlie Austin and Manolo Gabbiadini, but Long has been picked to start against the likes of Liverpool and Manchester City.

His goalscoring record is pretty poor, though, having scored just two goals in the last 18 months, and this may tempt the Saints into letting the forward leave in January.