Nathan Collins Injury Update: Race Against Time for Ireland’s Nations League

Nathan Collins is facing a race against time to be fit for the Republic of Ireland’s Nations League opener after suffering a calf injury on club duty with Brentford.

The Ireland captain limped out of 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 confirmed the setback ahead of his side’s clash with Bournemouth, delivering the news Ireland fans did not want to hear.

“No, he won't be involved this side of the international break. Unfortunately, he's picked up a calf injury,” Andrews said, explaining that the centre-back tried to push 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.”

That spells trouble for Heimir Hallgrimsson as he prepares to launch Ireland’s Nations League Group B3 campaign without his defensive linchpin.

Ireland begin away to Kosovo on Thursday, 24 September, before hosting Israel three days later. Two games, three days, and now a major question: who steps into the space normally occupied by their captain?