Nathan Collins Injury Causes Concern for Ireland's Nations League Start

Republic of Ireland captain Nathan Collins faces 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, explaining that Collins had tried to battle on 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 Heimir Hallgrimsson, the timing could hardly be worse. Collins, already on 40 caps, has become a central figure for Ireland, both as a defender and as a dressing-room presence. Losing him, even briefly, reshapes the spine of the side.

Nations League Schedule

Ireland open their Nations League Group B3 campaign away to Kosovo on Thursday, 24 September, before travelling to face Israel three days later. They then return to Dublin to host Austria at the Aviva Stadium on Thursday, 1 October, and round off the extended international window against Israel again at a neutral venue on Sunday, 4 October.

With a demanding schedule compressed into 11 days and their captain battling a calf problem, Ireland’s campaign may begin with an unwanted test of depth and resolve.