Neil Colins vows to fight for his Wolves place

Aug 29 2008 By Brian Halford

NEIL Collins has revealed he is more than happy to battle it out amongst the stiff competition challenging for places in Wolves’ back-line during the long season ahead.

And the Scot, a central defender first and foremost, won’t mind in the least if he ends up, in the short term or even beyond, at left-back.

Collins filled that position in the Carling Cup at Rotherham on Tuesday night, in the absence of the injured George Elokobi. And with Elokobi ruled out for several months by wrecked knee ligaments, the former Sunderland player could be filling in on the left for a while.

“It doesn’t really bother me where I play,” Collins said. “I would prefer to play centre-back but we had a lot of clean sheets last season when I played left-back and if we can keep more clean sheets this season, with the goal threat we have, then it is a recipe for success.

“If the manager asks me to go to left-back, I’m just going to go there and do the job. Let’s hope George is back as quickly as possible but the manager has options with myself, Daniel Jones, Stephen Ward and Michael Gray, who can all play there.

“There are plenty of options and if I have to play there, he knows I will.

“George is almost irreplaceable with the physique he has got. It is so disappointing because his attitude and application have been excellent.

“We all wish him a speedy recovery. But at the same time you have to look at it as being a chance for someone else.”

Not that Collins has given up the ghost on forcing his way back into the team in his favoured centre-half slot. “People might see me as second or third choice centre-back,” he said.

“But I started against Accrington in the Carling Cup and I don’t see that selection is so cut and dried in the Championship.

“I look upon it as a challenge to keep my place. If the gaffer brings someone in, it will only strengthen us and the likes of me can hopefully play in a more successful team.”