Nathan Collins Faces Race Against Time for Ireland’s Nations League

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

The Ireland captain limped out of Brentford’s 1-1 Premier League draw with Sunderland last weekend, and the news from his club is bleak. Bees manager Keith Andrews confirmed the centre-back will be sidelined 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 ahead of Brentford’s game against Bournemouth, ruling out any chance of a quick return for the defender, who has 40 international caps.

Collins tried to battle on before eventually coming off, a decision that underlined both his importance and his mentality.

“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 could hardly be worse for Heimir Hallgrimsson. Ireland open their Group B3 campaign away to Kosovo on Thursday, 24 September, before travelling to face Israel three days later.

After that double-header on the road, Ireland return to Dublin to host Austria at the Aviva Stadium on Thursday, 1 October, and then complete a demanding international block with a second meeting against Israel at a neutral venue on Sunday, 4 October.

With four games crammed into 11 days and their captain now a major doubt, Hallgrimsson may be forced to reshuffle the spine of his defence just as the Nations League battle begins.