The young defender, signed from Sunderland in the summer has been a great addition to the squad and up until the Doncaster game on December 19, he was an ever present in the team but an injury opened up a few doors for the likes of Graeme Lee and Richard Wood.
Both have been outstanding since and now Collins will have to battle for his place back but admits that picking up a knock prior to the Rovers clash was the worse possible time to be out of action.
“It was, “he told Footymad. “Over Christmas time you play lots of games and have the chance to build up lots of momentum but I am just happy to be part of a winning squad. I am helping the players to keep on their toes and hopefully I will get my place back in the team soon.”
As for getting back into the first-team fold, Collins is welcoming the battle to regain his place and believes that he wants to play because of his own form and not the misfortune of others.
He added: I never expected there wouldn’t be competition in the squad and I have always expected a battle here for a shirt: competition is only healthy for the players and the club and you can’t expect to keep your shirt every game if you are not playing well.
“All I can do now is proving how good I am in training and reserve games and I have to play that well that the boss cannot leave me out – that’s my only option. Other than that you have to work hard as well.
“But you don’t want to get into the team because someone is playing bad, you want to get in because you are playing even better that what they are.
“I am not fully fit at the moment and I was lucky to be on the bench against