James Collins refutes Wales bust-up

Aston Villa defender James Collins today vehemently dismissed speculation he pulled out of the Wales squad because of a clash with national boss Gary Speed.

Speed left Collins on the bench for Wales' Euro 2012 qualifiers with Montenegro and England last month, amid rumours he was considering retirement to concentrate on his club career.

But Collins refuted those suggestions and insisted he was forced to withdraw from Friday's qualifier against Switzerland in Cardiff because of a foot injury.

He said: "That certainly wasn't the case at all because I am actually injured, so I am sad to be missing out. It hasn't entered my mind at all to quit playing for Wales.

"My dad told me there was piece in one of the papers down in Wales saying that I had pulled out of the squad because I was unhappy that I didn't play or something, but that wasn't the case at all."