Nathan Collins injury concern for Brentford after Ireland defeat

Nathan Collins is facing a knee injury concern after Republic of Ireland’s 1-0 defeat to Austria, with manager Heimir Hallgrímsson confirming the Brentford defender would undergo a scan.

Collins limped off after Saturday’s Nations League match in Linz. His availability for Tuesday’s meeting with Kosovo remains uncertain, and no scan result or recovery timescale has been confirmed in the reports available.

The concern comes shortly after the Ireland captain returned from an earlier injury.

Nathan Collins injury: what Hallgrímsson said

Hallgrímsson explained that Collins felt discomfort after falling during the match.

“He felt something in his knee when he fell down,” he said, in RTÉ’s report on Ireland’s defeat in Austria.

The Ireland manager said a scan was needed to establish the extent of the problem. He hoped it would prove minor but stressed the need for caution because Collins had only recently returned to action.

It leaves Ireland waiting on their captain before the final match of their Nations League group campaign.

Another fitness concern after calf injury

Collins had previously been sidelined with a calf problem. Brentford head coach Keith Andrews confirmed the injury earlier in the season after the defender was forced off against Sunderland.

In the club’s update on that calf injury, Andrews explained that Collins had initially tried to play through the discomfort.

His recovery allowed him to return to international duty, with the FAI highlighting his inclusion in November’s squad as a boost for Hallgrímsson.

The knee concern now requires a separate assessment. It does not yet establish that Collins faces another extended absence.

Ireland await decision before Kosovo

Ireland host Kosovo at the Aviva Stadium on Tuesday 17 November, needing a victory to secure second place and a promotion play-off.

Collins’ availability will be an important part of Hallgrímsson’s preparations. For Brentford, the immediate question is whether the defender can continue with the national squad or needs further treatment.

Until the assessment is confirmed, there is no firm basis for ruling him out of upcoming club matches.

Follow more injury updates and club news on our Premier League hub.