McLeish confident on Collins

Last updated : 10 August 2011 By Team Talk

Villa are set to open their Premier League campaign against Fulham on Saturday.

Wales international Collins is a slight doubt for the game as he is nursing a back problem.

He was forced to pull out of midweek international duty as a result of the injury and has returned to Villa Park for further treatment.

McLeish admits the centre-half faces a race against time to face the Cottagers this weekend, but believes a period of rest will have the defender ready and raring to go.

He said: "We hope he (Collins) will be ready. We have high hopes that James will be okay.

"He did suffer a back problem which resulted in the missing of the Braga game (Villa's final pre-season friendly) and withdrawing from the Wales squad.

"We thank the Welsh FA for their co-operation in this."

Source: Team Talk

Source: Team Talk