Nathan Collins Faces Doubt for Ireland’s Nations League Start

Republic of Ireland captain Nathan Collins faces a race against time to be fit for the start of the Nations League after suffering a calf injury in Brentford’s 1-1 draw with Sunderland.

The centre-back was forced off during the Premier League game last weekend and will now miss Brentford’s fixtures up to the international break, according to Bees manager Keith Andrews.

“No, he won't be involved this side of the international break. Unfortunately, he's picked up a calf injury,” Andrews said at his pre-match press conference before Brentford’s clash with Bournemouth.

Collins, who has 40 caps for his country, tried to battle through the problem before eventually coming off.

“He probably felt it a little bit earlier in the game and tried to play through it, naturally, like he would, given the type of character he is and being one of our leaders and our captains,” Andrews added. “So, no, unfortunately he won't be involved.”

The timing is awkward for Heimir Hallgrimsson and Ireland.

Upcoming Matches

Hallgrimsson’s side open their Nations League Group B3 campaign away to Kosovo on Thursday, 24 September, before facing Israel three days later. They then return to Dublin to host Austria at the Aviva Stadium on Thursday, 1 October, and round off the extended international window with a second meeting against Israel at a neutral venue on Sunday, 4 October.

With four games packed into eleven days and the captain now a serious doubt, Ireland’s defensive plans for the campaign’s opening stretch suddenly look far more fragile.