Nathan Collins Doubt for Ireland’s Nations League Start

Republic of Ireland captain Nathan Collins is facing 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 upcoming international window.

"No, he won't be involved this side of the international break. Unfortunately, he's picked up a calf injury," Andrews said, confirming that his defender, capped 40 times by Ireland, will miss the next stretch of club action.

Collins 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.

"So, no, unfortunately he won't be involved."

For Ireland, the timing is awkward.

Upcoming Fixtures

Hallgrimsson’s team open their Nations League Group B3 campaign away to Kosovo on Thursday, 24 September, before a quick turnaround sees them face Israel three days later.

The schedule only tightens from there. Ireland then return to Dublin to host Austria at the Aviva Stadium on Thursday, 1 October, and round off an extended international window by meeting Israel again at a neutral venue on Sunday, 4 October.

With the captain now a serious doubt for that entire block of fixtures, Ireland’s defensive plans for the start of the campaign may need a rapid rethink.