West Ham defender James Collins in battle to be fit for Aston Villa trip

1 James Collins in action for West Ham

West Ham defender James Collins faces a race against time to be passed fit for their clash at Aston Villa as the club’s defensive injury crisis worsens.

The Hammers are already without centre-backs James Tomkins and Winston Reid so have been forced to draft in 18-year-old Reece Burke to play alongside Collins.

Now the Welshman has suffered a back spasm and is struggling to be passed fit for the Hammers’ trip to Villa Park.

But a hopeful Allardyce said: “We’ve had a bit of doubt about James Collins with a back spasm but it should be ok.

“It’s not 100 per cent but we’re hoping it might be alright.”