WINDOWS of opportunity are driving on the Town players this season.

That's the view of one of Peter Jackson's youngest new stars, Michael Collins.

Town's 19-year-old midfield player is alongside Tom Clarke and Gary Taylor-Fletcher in taking his chance over the last handful of matches.

And he has no intention of giving up his place without a strong fight.

"The manager has been a big encouragement and he's always told me to just continue doing what I'm doing," said Collins, who is also a shining light in the Republic of Ireland youth set-up.

"He has always put faith in me and, hopefully, I can repay that faith over the season by keeping doing my best.

"That's the great thing at this club, everyone gets a chance if they are doing well.

"You just can't argue with that because there aren't many clubs where that's the case like it is here.

"Last season, I remember at one point there were eight starters from our own Academy in the first team and others on the bench."

Collins, from Halifax, is one of those graduates and, having built himself up in the gym over the summer and pre-season, he's hoping to make his mark in the same way Jon Worthington, David Mirfin, Nathan Clarke and others have done in recent times.

"We all know we will be given a chance if we are working hard and doing the right things," he added.

"To be at this club, certainly for myself, is the best place to be at the moment and I know a lot of the other young lads feel exactly the same."

So will he be back in international action soon?

"I've spoken with Gerry Murphy who says the Republic have a few games coming up in a couple of months," he said. "I'll be looking to push on and be involved with those, but we'll have to see what happens. At the moment, all I'm concentrating on is doing well here."