Shane Long will start the FA Cup match against Crystal Palace on Saturday despite being linked with a move to Hull City, says West Bromwich Albion's caretaker manager Keith Downing.
Hull tried to sign the striker last summer, and Steve Bruce has admitted that he would like to sign him if he became available in this transfer window.
However, Downing has confirmed that Long is a player who is very much in the club's plans and will play against Palace, meaning that he would be cup tied if he did leave The Hawthorns.
"Shane's contracted to us, the speculation hasn't been unsettling. He's fully fit now, but he's an Albion player – so he plays. We have a high regard for him," Downing told The Mirror.
"The speculation in the summer has brought it all up again now. We believe in him and he's part of the plans. I won't be involved in any transfer activity. But when the new man arrives, I'll have an input, we'll help him."
Long has been with the Baggies since 2011.
Gary Peters
