Missing Israel games 'stressful' for captain Collins

Republic of Ireland captain Nathan Collins said he felt he left his team-mates "on their own" after missing the two controversial Nations League games against Israel in the last international window through injury.Collins was sidelined for the four-game window in September and October with a calf problem and had to watch on as the Irish lost 1-0 away to Kosovo, beat Israel 3-0 in Debrecen and then draw 2-2 with Austria at home and 1-1 with Israel again in Serbia.The first game against Israel in Hungary looked in doubt the previous day when training was delayed as players took a vote on whether to play - amid protests over the Israel-Gaza war - with goalkeeper Gavin Bazunu making himself unavailable for selection.Back in the squad and speaking before Saturday's game away to Austria, the Brentford defender reflected on his personal disappointment at not being around to support his team-mates as captain during a testing time."It was probably more stressful away from it than it might have been in it," Collins said."I could only see what I could see online and it made it really tough. I didn't feel like I was afraid, but I felt I left the lads there on their own not being there, not being involved."Republic of Ireland sit third in Group B3 and need two big performances in their last two games, against Austria in Linz and home to Kosovo on Tuesday, to have any chance of topping the group and earning promotion to League A.Despite the challenges the Israel fixtures presented in the last window, Collins believes Heimir Hallgrimsson's squad are stronger coming out the other side of it and are now relishing the focus coming back to matters on the pitch."I just think everyone feels very comfortable around each other. I don't think anyone is shying away, I don't think anyone feels uncomfortable in the group," he continued."I just think everyone's really bonded well, there's a different feel to it. If anybody experienced what they went through, I think that's extremely normal."I think we will all go through a brick wall for each other. I can only keep emphasising that we're ready to go."I think we're excited to go and we want another game of football."Head coach Hallgrimsson added that Seamus Coleman, who has been in the 24-man squad in a "hybrid" role, will not be considered for selection against Austria.However, with Liam Scales, Jayson Molumby, Conor Coventry, Adam Idah and Ryan Manning all one yellow card away from suspension, the Icelander did not rule out the prospect of the 38-year-old featuring against Kosovo on Tuesday."No, we didn't expect to include him in the squad today," he said."On Tuesday, we don't know the situation. We can maybe answer that before that game or after this game. We have five players on a yellow."Group leaders Austria are missing a number of key players for Saturday's game at Raiffeisen Arena through injury.Nottingham Forest's Xaver Schlager and Hoffenheim's Alexander Prass, who scored in the draw in Dublin, are the latest to be ruled out.Manager Ralf Rangnick is already without David Alaba, Maximilian Wober, Nikolas Veratschnig, Paul Wanner, Patrick Wimmer, Florian Grillitsch, Carney Chukwuemeka and Marco Grull for this window.