Youngster has 'got great potential'

Last updated : 16 August 2004 By Andy Parsons

Collins was instrumental in Wednesday’s victory at Torquay on Saturday and was quickly heralded for his all-round performance.

The former Sunderland player told Footymad on Friday how he is hoping to make a first-team shirt his own – and if his early-season form is anything to go by, Turner will be having a few selection headaches.

He lavished praise on the youngster and said: “Patrick has got tremendous ability on the ball and can run past people as we have seen.

“He’s only 19 and off with the England Under-20 squad now but when we bought him we were fortunate as there were six or seven clubs expressing and interest in him but what made him sign was having him play a few reserve games, he enjoyed training and then he made a simple decision but so far he has shown why we have brought him in.

“He is going forward and overlapping and got us the penalty at Torquay with a tremendous run - that’s his ability and when he plays centre-half, he comes out comfortably with the ball and goes past midfielders – he’s got great potential.”