WEST Brom could be about to end their search for a striker by securing the services of Shane Long, according to reports in Ireland.

The Irish Daily Star have claimed Baggies and Reading have agreed a £6milion transfer fee for the 24-year-old striker, who has just 12-months left on his contract.

The suggestion is that Long could be set to sign a four-year, £25,000-a-week deal that would see him team up with international team-mate Simon Cox.

Both players are away with the Republic of Ireland ahead of their friendly against Croatia on Wednesday but Albion boss Roy Hodgson has made no secret of the fact he wants to bolster his attacking options.

Ishmel Miller is on the brink of a move to Nottingham Forest, while an ankle injury makes Peter Odemwingie a doubt for Sunday’s Premier League opener against Manchester United

Hodgson said last week: “We have a target and we’re working on that. We have to agree something with his club and make sure he would be happy to come.

“Those are two major question marks but Dan Ashworth is working very hard on it and we hope for a positive outcome.”