Luton striker Collins reveals testing positive for coronavirus was a 'horrible' experience

Town forward admits having the illness is 'no joke'
Town striker James CollinsTown striker James Collins
Town striker James Collins

Hatters match-winner James Collins has revealed it was a 'horrible' experience suffering from coronavirus last month.

Luton’s leading scorer had a positive test for the virus just after the 2-0 defeat to Stoke City, meaning he had to self-isolate at home with his family, missing Hatters’ games against the Potters, plus Millwall and Sheffield Wednesday.

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He returned for the 1-1 draw against Nottingham Forest just over a week ago, and although back on the bench during Saturday's 3-0 defeat to Brentford, was named in the starting line-up for last night's 1-0 win over Rotherham, his fifth goal of the season securing all three points.

However, when asked what the past few weeks have been like in trying to recover from the illness, Collins said: “It was horrible, I was really ill, I had a chest infection, I had that plus the virus, so I I was bed bound for three or four days.

“Then I was trying to get myself back fit and then isolating as well, so it wasn’t a great time.

"I’m glad to be back involved and I’m just trying to find my feet again and get back match sharp.

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“I think I had every symptom under the sun if I'm honest, I had everything and I was really ill in my chest as well.

“Obviously there’s people in the world that are dying from it, so I’m really lucky that I managed to come out the other side and am back involved in football now.

“I got tested and I was positive and I was ill, I was really ill, so it’s not a joke, it’s a bad thing.

“Me and my family had to isolate for 10 days, luckily enough my kids were off school so that was a bonus.

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"We had to stick to the rules and I managed to get myself back out, so I'm really lucky to be honest.”

Collins did try and keep himself fit during his time away from the training ground, although admitted he is still yet to fully feel like himself again, continuing: “I was bed bound for three or four days and then as soon as I was able to get up and about, I was on the bike, I was doing bits and bobs in the house, so I wasn't just sitting on the sofa for 10 days.

“But it takes a while for it to get out of your system, the physio says it takes a while for fatigue to go.

“So I’m taking it day by day, feeling better day by day and getting rid of it slowly but surely.”

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With Collins missing three matches in such a crazy schedule for Town, it could be argued that the rest would do him good ahead of another manic run of games, Luton playing 11 fixtures after the international break and before the turn of the year.

However, the Republic of Ireland international didn't quite see it that way, adding: “You say that, but you’re missing games where you want to play.

"It does take a while to get it out of your system, so you're not fully sharp or feeling 100 per cent when you get back.

"But I'm feeling better day by day in training, every day I'm getting better, and every game I'm feeling a lot fitter, so hopefully I’ll be back to 100 percent soon.”