Republic of Ireland captain Nathan Collins faces a race against time to be fit for the opening games 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, leaving both club and country braced for bad news. The diagnosis has now landed – and it is not what Heimir Hallgrimsson would have wanted to hear.
Speaking before Brentford’s game against Bournemouth, Bees boss Keith Andrews confirmed that Collins will not feature again before the international break.
“No, he won't be involved this side of the international break. Unfortunately, he's picked up a calf injury,” Andrews said, outlining the extent of the setback for the defender, who has 40 international caps.
Collins tried to carry on in the Sunderland game, feeling the problem earlier but pushing through in typical fashion.
“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,” Andrews added.
For Ireland, the timing is awkward.
Hallgrimsson’s side open their Nations League Group B3 campaign away to Kosovo on Thursday, 24 September, before facing Israel three days later. The schedule is unforgiving: three games in 11 days, with their captain now a serious doubt.
After the two away fixtures, Ireland return to Dublin to host Austria at the Aviva Stadium on Thursday, 1 October. They then round off an extended international window by meeting Israel again at a neutral venue on Sunday, 4 October.
A demanding run, potentially without the man who wears the armband and anchors the back line.
