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Page last updated at 18:58 GMT, Tuesday, 22 March 2011

James Collins eager to captain Wales against England

2012 European Championship qualifying Group G - Wales v England
Venue: Millennium Stadium Date: Saturday, 26 March Kick-off: 1500 GMT
Coverage: Full coverage on BBC Radio 5 live, BBC Radio Wales, BBC Radio Cymru & online, live text commentary online and score updates on BBC Sport website. Live on Sky Sports 1


James Collins
James Collins has won 37 caps for Wales since making his debut in 2004

Aston Villa defender James Collins has said that captaining Wales against England on Saturday would be a dream come true.

Collins delayed joining the squad ahead of their Euro 2012 qualifier against Fabio Capello's side due to a calf injury.

But having been passed fit the 27-year-old is among the favourites to succeed Craig Bellamy as national team captain.

"If it's me I will be over the moon," said the former Cardiff City defender.

Wales boss Gary Speed, in charge for his first competitive game, will name his captain for the Millennium Stadium clash later this week.

Craig Bellamy relinquished his role as skipper last December because ongoing knee trouble meant that he would no longer be able to commit to every Wales game.

In addition to Collins, Swansea City defender Ashley Williams and Celtic's Joe Ledley are the other names in the frame to captain Wales.

"I'm not sure if I'm going to be captain for the game. If it's somebody else, I will obviously support them 100% and be happy for them," added Collins.

"As a child growing up, to play for Wales was something I dreamed of so to play in such a big game at the Millennium Stadium, in front of a full house, is going to be special.

"There's certainly a buzz around the place and I'm looking forward to a good game.

The centre-back missed Aston Villa's home defeat by Wolverhampton Wanderers on 19 March because of the calf problem but joined the Welsh squad on Monday after passing a fitness test.

Collins was a substitute the last time the countries met in Cardiff in September 2005 when Joe Cole's winner secured a 1-0 victory for the England in a World Cup qualifier.

That was the last occasion Wales attracted a full house at the Millennium Stadium and the the former West Ham United is looking forward to another memorable occasion.

"A lot of the boys here play against the England players week in week out so we know what they're all about and hopefully we can stop them and get a good win," said Collins.

"We have got to go there and attack them with the players we've got going forward. We can certainly cause them trouble with Gareth Bale and Craig Bellamy out on the wings.

"I'm sure England are as worried about them as we are about England, so fingers crossed we can defend well and get some chances," said Collins.

To play against England, with the players they've got, is going to be a great occasion

James Collins

"If we can keep it tight at the back, the boys we've got going forward are going to create chances and score goals and hopefully we can do that on Saturday.

"We've a few days training before the game and we've been working in the way we want to play and hopefully we can get the win," added Collins.

The defender has joined up with his Wales team-mates ahead of Saturday's clash following a turbulent time with Aston Villa.

Collins and fellow defender Richard Dunne were disciplined by Villa last week following an incident during a team bonding session

"It's good to get away," said the Newport-born player, who won his first cap against Norway in May 2004.

"The last couple of weeks at Villa have not been great for myself but to come away and be able to concentrate on such a big game has been great.

"To play against England, with the players they've got, is going to be a great occasion.

"It's a tough group and the start of a new campaign under a new manager [Gary Speed] and to get off to a good start is vital.

"We are not really thinking about who we are playing to be honest, we have to think about ourselves and the way we want to play."


Wales squad to face England: W Hennessey (Wolves), B Myhill (West Brom), L Price (Crystal Palace), D Collins (Stoke City), J Collins (Aston Villa), N Eardley (Blackpool), D Gabbidon (West Ham), C Gunter (N Forest), L Nyatanga (Bristol C), N Taylor (Swansea), A Williams (Swansea), J Allen (Swansea), G Bale (Tottenham), A Crofts (Norwich), A King (Leicester), J Ledley (Celtic), A Ramsey (Arsenal), D Vaughan (Blackpool), C Bellamy (Cardiff), S Church (Reading), S Vokes (Wolves, on loan at Sheff Utd), C Evans (Sheff Utd), F Eastwood (Coventry), S Morison (Millwall), H Robson-Kanu (Reading).



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see also
Crowd can help Wales win - Rush
22 Mar 11 |  Welsh
Speed praise for Ramsey character
20 Mar 11 |  Welsh
Terry returns as England captain
20 Mar 11 |  Football
Reasons for Wales to be cheerful
20 Mar 11 |  Welsh
Ferdinand set to miss England tie
13 Mar 11 |  Football


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