Davy Fitzgerald will ease Podge Collins back

Clare manager Davy Fitzgerald says he will not rush dual star Podge Collins back after his cruciate knee injury.

Collins was spotted undergoing a rigorous work-out on the pitch at the Gaelic Grounds ahead of Clare’s Munster senior league final win over Limerick at the weekend.

The 2013 All-Ireland senior medallist completed a heavy fitness programme and had his helmet on for some light ball work during the pre-match warm-up, but Fitzgerald said he hopes to ease Collins back into the set-up.

“He is still a small bit off, but he will get there. He’s probably six weeks away I’d say myself. I know he has something else happening in February, that has to be done. So you are looking at March before he gets back,” said Fitzgerald.

Collins suffered the knee injury hurling with his club last May and missed the entire Munster SFC as a result.

He looks certain to miss the hurlers’ opening league games against Offaly and Wexford, and the footballers Division 3 meeting with Sligo, Tipp and Limerick, but the Clare manager would love to see him play some part in the league.

“I think he will be there. It’s just important you get him a game or two, that you just don’t throw him into the thick of it so early, because he hasn’t played a high level for a while. He’ll be fine when he comes back, just need to get him a game or two. There will be good competition there for places,” said Fitzgerald.