I can trust Collins, says Coleman as pair forget feud
CHRIS COLEMAN would have no qualms about starting James Collins for Wales against Portugal, in a move that would represent a significant turnaround from three years ago when the pair had a major fall-out. Collins could replace suspended Ben Davies, with Coleman hailing the West Ham defender’s big personality as a positive influence. Coleman could switch Chris Gunter to centre back and play Jazz Richards as right wing-back but should Collins feature it would complete a comeback that seemed implausible in 2013. The pair had a bust-up when Coleman said he tried to call up Collins for World Cup qualifier against Serbia at home but was turned down. Collins denied the claim and insisted he had heard nothing from the Football Association of Wales. Both maintained they were right, sparking a bitter stand-off but a month later Wales suffered a massive injury crisis and Coleman arranged to meet Collins for a coffee in Cardiff to clear the air. Remarkably, they arranged a public setting to avoid the temptation for any disagreements to get physical. They buried the hatchet and Collins played in two qualifiers, in which Wales beat Macedonia and drew with Belgium. Collins came off the bench late on in the quarter-final win over Belgium for his first minutes in France but is an option as Wales look to shackle Portugal talisman Cristiano Ronaldo. ‘If the big man slots in, I won’t have any worries,’ said Coleman. ‘Professional players are different to my day but Ginge is the closest that I have seen in the modern-day player. He is older than most of our boys. He has been there and seen it. He has that experience and is a bit different. ‘He knows the drill, he knows what’s needed and I’m sure he’ll give us whatever he’s got.’