Nathan Collins Injury Concerns Ahead of Nations League

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 with Brentford.

The centre-back was forced off during Brentford’s 1-1 draw with Sunderland in the Premier League last weekend, and the damage is serious enough to rule him out until after the international break.

Brentford manager Keith Andrews cut a frustrated figure as he confirmed the setback ahead of his side’s clash with Bournemouth.

“No, he won't be involved this side of the international break. Unfortunately, he's picked up a calf injury,” Andrews said, confirming that one of his key defenders is set for a spell on the sidelines.

Collins, already a 40-cap international and now one of the leaders in the Irish dressing room, tried to grit his teeth and carry on.

“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 explained. “So, no, unfortunately he won't be involved.”

For Heimir Hallgrimsson and Ireland, the timing could hardly be worse. The Nations League campaign in Group B3 opens away to Kosovo on Thursday, 24 September, before a quick turnaround into a meeting with Israel three days later.

Those fixtures were already shaping up as early tests of Hallgrimsson’s tenure. Now they may have to be faced without the man wearing the armband at the heart of the defence.