Section: Europe
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Type: IFA News
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Wales Waiting on Collins Decision
James Collins faces a fitness D-Day as Wales will discover on Wednesday if the West Ham defender is fit for Saturday's World Cup qualifier with Finland. The 25-year-old centre-back has not played for the Hammers since injuring a hamstring in the 2-1 Premier League defeat at Bolton on 21 February. Collins trained separately from the rest of the Wales squad on Tuesday. "We are a better team with James Collins in it," said Wales and Tottenham defender Chris Gunter. "He has been on fire for West Ham and it is a shame he got injured but hopefully he will come back and put in a great performance." Collins returned to the Wales fold in October last year after making a speedy recovery from serious knee ligament damage that had been expected to keep him sidelined for another two to three months. He put in solid performances in the qualifier against Germany and friendly with Denmark and Gunter hopes he can return in time for Finland and do the same again. "If James will be fit, we'll have a better chance," added Gunter. "The way he performed in Germany and in the friendly against Denmark last year, shows he can come in without much game time for his club and perform to a high level." However, Wales have been boosted by the news that captain Craig Bellamy came through a full training session unscathed. The 29-year-old only returned to action on Sunday after three weeks out with a knee injury. The Manchester City striker made a 25-minute appearance from the substitutes' bench in the 1-0 win over Sunderland. Cardiff midfielder Joe Ledley and Swansea defender Ashley Williams took part in a lighter session, which will please their respective club managers, who have raised concerns over the number of games they have played this season. Wales are already without Gavin Williams, who has withdrawn with a calf injury. The Bristol City midfielder was hoping to win his first Wales cap for three and a half years after being called up by manager John Toshack. Peterborough defender Craig Morgan is also out after suffering a foot injury. Wigan Athletic playmaker Jason Koumas is also included in the squad. Koumas, an influential creative figure in Toshack's Wales teams, has been included, despite being out of action for Wigan since 7 February. The experienced Toronto midfielder Carl Robinson has also won a call, even though the Major League Soccer season has not started. Oldham's Neal Eardley and Swindon loanee Owain Tudur Jones will join up with the squad after playing for their respective teams on Tuesday night. Midfielder Jack Collison (knee) and centre-back and fellow West Ham player Danny Gabbidon (back and groin) are out. Story from BBC SPORT: http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/sport1/hi/football/internationals/7921623.stm |
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