Collins Hopes To Hammer England

JAMES Collins is one of four Hammers in the Welsh squad that will face England at the Millennium Stadium on Saturday.

The 22-year-old central defender looks set to partner Upton Park team-mate Danny Gabbidon at the heart of the Wales defence and even though World Cup qualification is beyond his country, James is still out to earn the bragging rights at Chadwell Heath.

"A lot of the boys were mentioning it before we went away," admitted the former Cardiff player. "Obviously with the four Welsh lads in the squad - me, Gabs (Danny Gabbidon), Fletch (Carl Fletcher) and Gav (Gavin Williams) there is going to be a few comments flying about.

"It's a massive game for Welsh football and everyone is looking forward to it. It would be great if all four of us could make the team, because that would be fantastic for West Ham, but we'll just have to wait and see.

"Whoever plays it's just going to be huge for Wales and none of the West Ham lads in the Wales squad want to come back to Chadwell Heath with anything less than a win. 

"With all the English lads here and four Welsh boys you expect a bit of banter. It was a similar situation at Cardiff, although we had a few more Welshmen around. We take it on the chin though and hopefully we can get a good result and give it back a bit next week."

James knows the Millennium Stadium showdown is going to be a test for Wales, especially with England looking to banish the disappointment of defeat to Denmark. But the Newport-born defender believes that with the Cardiff crowd behind them Wales can do it.

"It's going to be really tough against England," confessed James. "They've had some good results in the qualifying matches and have some terrific players. They had a set-back against Denmark, but if anything that's going to make them more determined to hit back with a good performance.

"We're not going into the game with any fear though. We're just focusing on hopefully trying to up our game and putting in the type of performance that's going to see us come away with a result.

"It would be a huge achievement for Welsh football if we could win and the squad is really determined."

Should James line-up against England it will be his first senior outing of the season, as he is yet to make his Hammers debut because of a calf injury picked up at the start of the season.

Now back to full fitness James is looking forward to breaking into Alan Pardew's first-team squad.

"I've had a calf injury but I'm over that completely now," he revealed. "I only started training last week though so I haven't really been able to push for a place in the West Ham team yet.

"To be fair, I'm not thinking about playing at the moment anyway because Anton and Gabs have made such a good start to the season at the back. They've been outstanding and fingers crossed they can keep playing that way because it's tremendous for the Club to have both centre-backs on top of their game.

"I just need to get as fit as I can, wait for my chance and then hopefully take it when it comes along."

Despite his lack of games James takes confidence into what will hopefully be his seventh full international appearance for Wales from the way Hammers have started the season, and in particular the fantastic dressing-room atmosphere at Upton Park.

"The spirit is unbelievable at the moment," he said. "The defeat to Bolton was disappointing, but the lads will all respond to it in the right way because that's the kind of strength and positive feeling we have.

"Hopefully we can keep it going because it has helped every player in the squad. Certainly it's given me plenty of encouragement coming away with the international squad being around a team with such a good atmosphere.

"It's played a major part in the start the team have made to the season. Hopefully all us Welsh boys will be buzzing from beating England when we get back to Chadwell Heath next week!"