Collison to miss Hammers opener against Villa

Friday, August 17, 2012
10:03 AM

Team news: West Ham United v Aston Villa

Jack Collison will miss West Ham’s Premier League opener on Saturday but James Collins will be fit to face his former club Aston Villa.

The 23-year-old Collison played a key part in the Hammers’ promotion via the play-offs but aggravated an existing knee injury in the process, which has seen him miss pre-season.

Fellow Wales international Collins is fit again after a groin injury, while manager Sam Allardyce revealed his summer signings from overseas, Alou Diarra and Modibo Maiga, will not start.

West Ham’s provisional squad: Jaaskelainen, Henderson, Demel, Tomkins, Collins, Reid, McCartney, O’Brien, Potts, Spence, Diarra, Diame, Noble, Taylor, O’Neil, Nolan, Vaz Te, Maiga, Maynard, Cole