Collins will play for the U21's against Germany in a World Cup qualifier. In the U21's for the first time is Joe Ledley.
The three City players in the senior squad are Daniel Gabbidon, Rhys Weston and Robert Page.
It concerns me that Collins has been dropped with Page included as James is keeping both Page and Aussie Tony Vidmar out of the City line up with a string of man of the match performances.
One possibility is that Wales are looking for James' experience in the competitive U21 match.
James had a nightmare against Northern Ireland back in September and maybe that's an issue?
Full squad
Coyne (Burnley), Crossley (Fulham), Collins (Sunderland), Edwards (Wolves), Gabbidon (Cardiff), Page (Cardiff), Partridge (Motherwell), Ricketts (Swansea), Roberts (Tranmere), Weston (Cardiff), Davies (Tottenham), Fletcher (West Ham), Giggs (Man Utd), Koumas (West Brom), Robinson (Sunderland), Savage (Blackburn), Williams (West Ham), Bellamy (Newcastle), Earnshaw (West Brom), Hartson (Celtic).