Aston Villa will give James Collins short-term deal once he proves fitness
Villa are ready to offer James Collins a short-term deal once the defender has fully proven his fitness.
Collins has been training at Villa since mid-September and boss Dean Smith is prepared to sign the 35-year-old, initially until January, to boost his defensive numbers over the busy festive period.
But it is understood Collins still has some niggling injury concerns to shake-off before any agreement will be rubber-stamped.
The Wales international has been a free agent since leaving West Ham in the summer and trained with Ipswich before heading to Villa in the final weeks of Steve Bruce’s reign.
Collins, who made 109 appearances in a three-year spell between 2009 and 2012, has impressed Smith when playing in a number of behind-closed-doors friendlies.
But he has also been hampered by niggling injuries and Villa will, for the moment, hold back on finalising any agreement.
James Chester and Manchester United loanee Axel Tuanzebe are currently the only recognised centre-backs on Villa’s books.
Villa have conceded seven goals in their last two games, and face two of the top four next.
After Saturday’s trip to Middlesbrough, they travel to The Hawthorns next Friday to face rivals Albion, the Championship’s top scorers.
