Ireland captain Nathan Collins hasn’t featured since early September when he picked up a calf injury against Sunderland.

Keith Andrews has issued a fresh update on Nathan Collins ahead of this weekend’s clash with Hull.

Brentford are away to the Premier League newcomers in a match that pits Andrews against Tigers defender John Egan, a player he coached during his time in Stephen Kenny’s Ireland backroom staff.

Collins hasn’t featured for the Bees since their September 5 draw with Sunderland, when he was withdrawn early in the first-half with a calf injury.

The injury also ruled the Ireland captain out of the recent four-game Nations League window.

Collins returned to the matchday squad last weekend against Liverpool but did not make it off the bench in the 2-1 defeat.

However, his performances in training this past week have delighted his club boss Andrews.

The Dubliner also gave updates on the fitness of Jannik Schuster and Mathias Jensen

He said: “Jannik just had a bit of a troubled week going into the Liverpool game, really, a bit of a knock from international duty crept up on him during the Villa game.

“Then he wasn't particularly well for a few days, so it was just a very disruptive week.

“But he's been back training the last few days, so he's back to himself, more or less.

“There's nothing major to note; we're pretty much as we were last weekend. Some players have taken the next step of their journey back with really good weeks of training.

“Nathan, in particular, and Mathias Jensen made another really good step with training, considering that he's only been back a week or two.”

Hull have made a strong start to life back in the Premier League, with their Boys in Green defender Egan starring for the Championship play-off winners.

They are just one point behind Brentford and have picked up some impressive results, including an opening day win at home to Manchester United.

They have also recorded draws against Aston Villa, Chelsea and Everton.

“I think they've been brilliant,” said Andrews. “It's very evident that they have a spirit, a really honest spirit about the group, and they have a togetherness and honesty about the group.

“They've got some very, very experienced players that have been in the league before, and they've got players that are there for the first time that want to enjoy the journey.

“The way they play the game and the way they're organised is very impressive.

“I expect a proper test, a way of playing that can be very testing. They have a belief that they can absolutely compete at this level. They've shown that they can, week in, week out.

“They've produced some really, really good performances and they've been in every single game they've played in.”

As for Ireland defender Egan, he added: “He's someone that I really like as a man.

“I coached him at international level and I also coached him at Sheffield United, so I know John pretty well.

“I'm so happy for him that he's made that move to Hull, got the promotion back, playing at the highest level and still playing a really important role for our country.

“He's a player you would go into the trenches with. He's been a magnificent player. He's a man that I really admire and like.”