Novice Lee on McCarthy's radar

Jul 17 2007 By Paul Berry, Birmingham Mail

MICK McCarthy today hinted that rookie full back Lee Collins is not far away from his first team thoughts as the 18-year-old booked a spot on Wolves’ pre-season tour.

Telford-born Collins, the only one of the five new professionals to be making the trip to Ireland, is perhaps the “wild card” included in the tour party, with McCarthy perhaps testing him out to see if he is ready to challenge for the left back berth following the departure of Jackie McNamara.

Although right footed and more naturally a central defender, Collins featured at left back in last season’s pre-season programme and scored a superb individual goal in the 4-0 win at Hednesford.

He was also a key member of the Academy team which went within a minute of reaching the FA Youth Cup final two years ago, and played a major part in keeping Theo Walcott quiet during the two-legged semi final with Southampton.

McCarthy named Collins on the bench three times last season, without him getting on, but he looked at home during Saturday’s pre-season friendly with Grays and now has the chance to make a further impression.

“I like Lee, he’s one of the five lads who got professional contracts this year,” said McCarthy.

“We continue to produce players from the Academy and they might not yet be first teamers but they’ve stepped up and got pro contracts and done well.

“I think Lee is one of them that certainly looks physically capable of playing in the first team – he’s quick, strong and powerful and can cope with it.”