Nathan Collins Injury Concerns 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 early signs are not encouraging.

Brentford manager Keith Andrews confirmed that Collins will not feature again for the club before the upcoming international window, raising serious doubts over his availability for Ireland’s Group B3 campaign.

“No, he won't be involved this side of the international break. Unfortunately, he's picked up a calf injury,” Andrews said when asked about the defender, who has 40 international caps.

Collins had tried to grit his way through the problem.

“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 Heimir Hallgrimsson, the timing could hardly be worse. Ireland open their Nations League campaign away to Kosovo on Thursday, 24 September, then face Israel three days later.

After that, the schedule tightens again. Austria visit the Aviva Stadium on Thursday, 1 October, before Ireland round off an extended international window against Israel at a neutral venue on Sunday, 4 October.

A demanding run. And now, potentially, without their captain at the heart of it.