Stoke City: Collins may have future at the Brit
DANNY Collins's exit from Stoke City may not be signed and sealed after all.
The 31-year-old defender, who would command a seven-figure fee, appeared to have played his last game for the club and has been linked with the likes of Bolton, Blackburn and Wolves during the transfer window.
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Danny Collins
And Ipswich are monitoring the Welshman's movement after he enjoyed a four-month loan spell at Portman Road earlier this season.
His days at Stoke appeared numbered when he failed to feature in a reserve game last week in which several other fringe players were included.
But manager Tony Pulis has revealed that Collins has been nursing a recent injury – and isn't necessarily ripe for selling.
"He's got a dead-leg after Ricardo Fuller ran into him in training," he said. "He hasn't been able to train properly, that's been the problem with him, but hopefully he'll be training again soon.
"You are going to get speculation linking players with clubs at this time of year. There's nothing you can do about it."
Collins, a £2.75m signing from Sunderland two-and-a-half years ago, played 16 times for Ipswich. He has started just two games in 12 months at City.
Meanwhile, Tom Soares has effectively ended his association with Stoke after agreeing to join Hibs on loan until the end of the season.
Soares, who is out of contract in the summer, made the last of his five league starts in November 2008.
Michael Tonge was interesting Hibs, too, but he also has loan offers from clubs in the Championship and League One.
Tonge, who has another 18 months on his Stoke contract, has made one league start for the Potters.
STOKE'S home game against Premier League leaders Manchester City on Saturday, March 24 has been switched to a 5.30pm kick-off to accommodate live TV coverage.
More Stoke City articles:
Robbie Earle: Reserve team plan has rightly been filed under 'B'
Stoke City: Coates rules out any window shopping for Stoke
Lou Macari: FA Cup has special place in heart for Stoke
5 Comments
by grahamegreen
Wednesday, January 25 2012, 2:48PM
“For God's sake Danny get out while you still have a few years left!”
by soccerfoot11
Tuesday, January 24 2012, 4:04PM
“If Collins knew how to mark his man, and not wander into the center half position all the time, he wouldnt be a bad alternative at left back.”
by bazamor
Tuesday, January 24 2012, 2:57PM
“Serious money wasted by the manager on players who have never been good enough. Millions spent on transfer and wages to support players loaned to other clubs. Quality signings.”
by hemheath
Tuesday, January 24 2012, 1:44PM
“That's all we need Collins is NOT the answer to anyones problem”
by bexhillpotter
Tuesday, January 24 2012, 12:32PM
“I thought Collins already had dead legs!”