But since his second suspension of the season following his red card at
He told Footymad: “It hasn’t been very good for me in the last few weeks watching from the stands, as a player you always want to be involved but hopefully I can get my head around missing these games and come back stronger, and the sooner the better.
“It has been up and down for me this season because I came in and immediately missed three games from a suspension that was carried on from my Manchester City days and to miss games recently for the same reason has not made it the best of starts but hopefully I can get my head down, work hard and do well when I come back.
“Don’t get me wrong I have enjoyed it but it has been tough adjusting from reserve football to first-team football.”
Now he has to impress the new boss, and because of his international commitments, he will not be available for Sunday’s clash with
He added: “We have had a sticky patch before Chris left but we just have to get some good results on the board and go from there.
“Managers get sacked in football, that’s the way it works but it makes you more determined to put things right and show the new man what you can do and show him that I hopefully deserve my place in the team by working hard.
“The lads have been doing ok so far without me in the team and we haven’t lost in the league since Paul took over but you never know - there may be injuries to other players so when my chance comes around again I will just have to take it.”
Meanwhile, Wednesday's game with
The game at the
Paul Sturrock will be thankful it has been called off for the time being with only a depleted squad to pick from.
Apart from Whelan playing for the Republic of Ireland U-21 team this weekend, Collins has been called up to the England U-20 team while Brunt has been called up to the full Northern Ireland team for their qualifier against Azerbaijan.