MICHAEL Collins is looking forward to staking his claim for a Huddersfield Town first-team berth.
The 22-year-old has suffered two bouts of illness during the close-season, but insists he is back to full health and ready to tackle whatever new manager Stan Ternent throws at his squad during pre-season training, which began on Friday.
Collins was hit by a bug which swept through the Republic of Ireland Under 21 camp during the Intercontinental Cup in Malaysia in May.
Then the midfielder, who played in all four of Ireland’s games in the Far East, suffered further stomach trouble while on holiday in Egypt.
He’s been working his way back to full fitness with regular sessions in the club gym and by running with Town teammate Tom Clarke.
“Tom and I live close to each other, and I find it much easier to run with someone else than alone,” explained Halifax-based Collins.
“The bug, which also affected James Berrett, was frustrating, but it was still a brilliant experience playing international football in such a different kind of place.
“Getting ill in Egypt was also really unfortunate, but I’m well over it and feeling in decent nick now, and I’m looking forward to working hard over the coming weeks.
“It’s going to be interesting because none of us apart from a couple of the new lads have worked under the new management team before, so we’re not sure exactly what to expect between now and the start of the season.”
“The other side of the coin is that they won’t have seen too much of us, so in that sense it’s a clean slate for everyone.
“Reputations won’t count for anything because we’ll all have to prove ourselves and show we’re worth a place in the team.”
Collins faces competition from new midfield signing Jim Goodwin as well as Berrett, Andy Holdsworth, Malvin Kamara and Jon Worthington.
“I’ve got my work cut out, and from my point of view, the main aim is to hit the standard I expect of myself, then maintain it,” he added.
Ex-Town midfielder Matty Young has signed for Harrogate Town.
