Collins injury worry

Danny Collins is hoping a thigh injury will not ruin his chance of regular football at Sunderland.

The Wales international concedes he has endured a frustrating start to the season and has yet to play in The Premiership.

His only two appearances this term have been in the Carling Cup against Cheltenham Town and Arsenal.

Collins admits he thought his performance against Cheltenham in the second round would have been enough to press his claims to manager Mick McCarthy.

"I am not going to hide how disappointed I am about the fact I have not been involved more," said Collins.

"I won the man-of-the-match award for that game [against Cheltenham] and the manager singled me out afterwards for special praise.

"So I hoped that would be the start of something, maybe getting more involved with the first team, but it has not turned out that way.

"It has been a frustrating time for me but I am not giving up. All I can do is my best."

Collins started Tuesday's 3-0 defeat to Arsenal in the Carling Cup but limped out with a thigh injury three minutes into the second half.

It is currently unclear how serious the problem is but the defender will be keen for it to clear up quickly.