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Shane Long in race for Molineux showdown

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West Brom striker Shane Long is still a doubt for Sunday's Black Country derby – but the Ireland international was hoping to be back in training today.

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West Brom striker Shane Long is still a doubt for Sunday's Black Country derby – but the Ireland international was hoping to be back in training today.

The Baggies' summer signing is fighting back from chest pains that forced him to miss the club's last two games altogether and boss Roy Hodgson is unsure if his leading scorer will be fit to face Wolves.

Long has not started a game since the New Year's Day defeat to Everton because of a back problem which was followed by the mystery illness.

Hodgson said: "He seems to be making big strides forward. He feels a lot better but he's had two quite serious knockbacks so we have to unfortunately take it a little bit easier with him.

"We can't throw him straight back in there because first it was the back and then it was chest pains.

"We just have to take it day by day. He's a lot better than he was at the end of last week, it's just a gradual thing. It's too early to rule him in or out for Wolves."

Midfielder Graham Dorrans has also emerged as a derby doubt after picking up a hip problem.

But Hodgson believes he could still have a full squad to select from with the exception of long-term casualties Zoltan Gera (knee) and Chris Brunt (ankle).

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