Collins ready to make history

James Collins and Wales stand on the brink of history this week

James Collins is hoping to be a part of history this week when Wales bid to end their 58-year wait for an appearance at a major championship.

Wales last qualified for a tournament in 1958 when they made it to the FIFA World Cup quarter-finals, but now they are just a point away from putting that unwanted record to bed.

With two games to play, they head up Group B of the European Qualifiers, having gone through their first eight games unbeaten and at the cost of just two goals conceded.

Now, with an away game at Bosnia-Herzegovina and a Cardiff City Stadium meeting with Andorra to come, Wales stand on the brink of writing a new chapter for themselves.

Hammers defender Collins is part of Chris Coleman’s squad for the double header and is itching to do his bit – both in the week ahead and in France next summer should his country finish the job.

He said: “I’ve got to think about France at the end of the season as I’d be bitterly disappointed if I missed out on that. It’s a long time away yet and there’s a lot of football to be played before then.

“We’ve got Bosnia away and Andorra at home, so if we don’t qualify it will be our own doing. It’s an exciting time, the Welsh team are flying and it’s great to be part of it."