Keith Andrews has confirmed Nathan Collins will miss Brentford's games before the international break after a calf injury forced him off against Sunderland. The Republic of Ireland captain is now in doubt for the start of the Nations League campaign, with Ireland opening away to Kosovo on Tuesday, 24 September. Collins was a 40-capped defender going into the break.
Brentford have already lost Collins for the next run
Andrews said: "No, he won't be involved this side of the international break. Unfortunately, he's picked up a calf injury."
He also said Collins "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." That fits the moment at Sunderland, where he was forced off in Brentford's draw after the problem flared up.
The loss lands at a time when Collins has already had a stop-start season. He has made only 3 Premier League appearances and played 200 minutes, so Brentford have had limited time with him even before this setback.
Ireland's opening games without their captain
The timing is awkward for Ireland, who begin their Group B3 campaign away to Kosovo on Tuesday, 24 September. They face Israel three days later, host Austria at the Aviva Stadium on Thursday, 1 October, and then take on Israel again at a neutral venue on Sunday, 4 October.
Collins is one of Ireland's more established players and one of Andrews's leaders at club level as well. Brentford will first have to get through their next league game away to Bournemouth on 12 September without him, and then wait on how the calf settles before Ireland's squad is finalised.
Written by Jack Mercer with AI-assisted research, cross-checked against 1 outlet. How we work →
