Kevin Nolan, West Ham United

West Ham skipper back soon, but Collison will miss start of the season

Dave Evans, West Ham Correspondent Monday, August 6, 2012
9:40 AM

Hammers captain Kevin Nolan is set to return in Portugal this week, West Ham’s final game before the start of the Premier League season

West Ham skipper Kevin Nolan (above) should be fit for the pre-season trip to Portugal this week as he continues to recover from the foot injury he suffered at Colchester United two weeks ago.

But Jack Collison is almost certain to miss the start of the Premier League campaign.

Midfielder Nolan hobbled off after just four minutes of the friendly at Colchester after a clash with former Hammer Freddie Sears, but assistant boss Neil McDonald confirmed that he should be back for Friday’s clash with Braga, despite him missing Saturday’s 3-1 defeat at Ipswich Town.

Portugal

“His toe is still a little bit sore, so we are making sure he is ready to go away to Portugal for the last pre-season game,” said McDonald.

“I am almost 100 per cent sure that he will be all right for Aston Villa.”

The news on Collison is not so good. The midfielder has not been on a football field since the play-off victory against Blackpool at Wembley and had been having trouble with his knee.

And McDonald revealed, that although he is making progress, it is not likely to be before the start of the season.

“He has been rehabbing and he started training again with the first team this week, so we are hopeful that he will get stronger next week,” said the assistant boss.

“The start of the season is probably a little bit too soon with the injuries that he has had, but as I say, he is back training with us this week and it is great to have him back.

“He is a class player and a great lad as well, so it is slow progress with him.”