Aston Villa manager Steve Bruce has confirmed that Welsh international and former Villa defender James Collins is going to be joining the club for a trial ahead of his prospective signing on a free transfer.
The 35-year-old powerhouse was released from Premier League side West Ham this summer after seeing his contract in east London come to an end, and despite much speculation over his future remains without a club.
However, Bruce has confirmed that could change sooner rather than later by revealing the 50-cap international will be heading to Villa, where he made 108 appearances, to recover from a hamstring injury and eventually see the manager run the rule over making him a part of his squad.
He told the Birmingham Mail: “James is coming in training with us when he is available.
“He has nicked a hamstring, unfortunately. He has been fit with West Ham and Ipswich so we have invited him up.
“I have known him a long time. We have invited him up to get his hamstring fit and come and train with us and we will take if from there.”
Good move for Aston Villa?
It has been quite clear that Bruce has needed a new centre back for quite some time, Mile Jedinak not living up to the standards expected in what was a strange experiment from the boss.
Collins knows all about the demands of playing in front of the Villa faithful – who no doubt would welcome him back with open arms – and his experience of both the Premier League and the Championship could prove crucial in the club’s hopes of securing a top six finish.
At 35 there may be questions over his fitness and whether he can be a permanent fixture in the starting XI, but as a model professional there is no doubt he will have been keeping on top of his fitness over summer.
This is Futbol rating: 7.5/10
Likely to happen?
It certainly seems as though this could be a realistic signing for Villa, if the defender impresses enough during his trial over the coming weeks.
He ticks a lot of the boxes for the club, and would bring some much needed composure and experience to a back line which has looked shaky at best.
Negotiations over his wages should not be too much of an issue either.
This is Futbol rating: 9/10