Reading striker Shane Long is hoping to beat and then meet the man he regards as his idol.

The Royals make the trip to Sunderland in search of the result to haul them out of the Premier League relegation zone.

The Black Cats' fortunes have been transformed by the appointment of Roy Keane as manager and Long admitted it would be a thrill to meet the former Manchester United midfielder.

But the 20-year-old, whose career began as a teenager in Keane's home city of Cork, wanted to make sure Reading had banked all the points first.

He said: ''When I was a kid he was always my idol and he has done so much for the game in Ireland. But I would have no problem taking three points off him on Saturday. Legend is a word that is used too often but it suits him, especially for Irish football. He set the standard so high and gave us something to look up to.

''It would be a good time in my life to meet him so hopefully I can do that after a win.''

Keane's squad is also packed with Irishman and Long pointed out that he and his club-mates felt outnumbered when discussing the showdown at the Stadium of Light.

He said: ''There were a lot of Irish at Reading and now it's down to three, but they have eight at Sunderland as well as the manager so there's a bit of a personal thing for us as well.

''When we were leaving Ireland after getting back from the game in midweek there were a few 'see you on Saturdays' but none of us said too much in case we had to take it all back on Saturday.

''And there were more of them than us! But after the game, if we've won, I'll be more than happy to give it.''