James Collins has missed out on the Republic of Ireland squad for their upcoming Euro 2020 qualifier, but club boss Graeme Jones can’t praise the striker highly enough for his work as a Luton player.
The 28-year-old had been named in Mick McCarthy’s provisional 40-man squad to face Switzerland in qualification and then Bulgaria in a friendly, both at Dublin’s Aviva Stadium.
But he missed out for a second time in a row for the pared down 25-man selection as McCarthy opted to go with the four-man attacking selection of David McGoldrick (Sheffield United), Sean Maguire (Preston North End), Scott Hogan (Stoke City) and Callum Robinson (Sheffield United).
Collins, who has been Town’s top scorer for two seasons running, is joint top scorer this term, netting twice in five Championship games for the Hatters, which is the same amount as Hogan and more than the other three Irish choices combined.
Collins is yet to make his Irish senior debut and Luton manager Jones said: “I don’t know the Republic of Ireland forwards, that’s the truth, so I don’t know who we’re comparing him to.
“I can only speak about this form since I’ve been involved with Luton. It’s been exceptional, he’s been a pleasure to work with day to day and he takes things on board.
“There is nobody that gives more to the Luton Town cause than him, but he’s got an end product about him, and we started to that now, in the Championship as well.”
McCarthy said of his selection: “The big thing in picking this squad has been game-time for the players.
“I named a 40-man provisional squad a fortnight ago because so many of the players had yet to play for their clubs but thankfully that situation has improved dramatically since then.”
Full squad
Goalkeepers: Darren Randolph (Middlesbrough), Keiren Westwood (Sheffield Wednesday), Mark Travers (Bournemouth).
Defenders: Seamus Coleman (Everton), Matt Doherty (Wolverhampton Wanderers), Shane Duffy (Brighton & Hove Albion), Richard Keogh (Derby County), John Egan (Sheffield United), Kevin Long (Burnley), Enda Stevens (Sheffield United).
Midfielders: Alan Judge (Ipswich Town), Callum O’Dowda (Bristol City), Alan Browne (Preston North End), Jack Byrne (Shamrock Rovers), Jeff Hendrick (Burnley), Conor Hourihane (Aston Villa), James McCarthy (Crystal Palace), Glenn Whelan (Hearts), Josh Cullen (Charlton Athletic), James McClean (Stoke City), Ronan Curtis (Portsmouth).
Forwards: Callum Robinson (Sheffield United), Sean Maguire (Preston North End), Scott Hogan (Stoke City), David McGoldrick (Sheffield United).
