Collins calls missing Israel games 'stressful' as he returns for final Nations League matches

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, speaking before Saturday's game away to Austria.

Collins was sidelined for the four-game window in September and October with a calf problem. He watched as the Irish lost 1-0 away to Kosovo, beat Israel 3-0 in Debrecen, drew 2-2 with Austria at home and drew 1-1 with Israel 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.

Collins is back in the squad for the final two Nations League games after missing the first four with a calf injury and said he was disappointed not to be alongside his team-mates. He said: "It was probably more stressful away from it than it might have been in it." He added: "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."

Collins said he believed Heimir Hallgrimsson's squad were stronger after the events around the Israel fixtures and welcome the focus returning to the pitch. He remarked: "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 confirmed Seamus Coleman, who has been in the 24-man squad in a "hybrid" role, will not be considered for selection against Austria. With Liam Scales, Jayson Molumby, Conor Coventry, Adam Idah and Ryan Manning all one yellow card away from suspension, Hallgrimsson did not rule out Coleman featuring against Kosovo on Tuesday and said: "No, we didn't expect to include him in the squad today." He added: "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 will be without a number of players for Saturday's game at the Raiffeisen Arena through injury. Nottingham Forest's Xaver Schlager and Hoffenheim's Alexander Prass, who scored in the draw in Dublin, were 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.

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.