Collins confident of making it hat-trick despite Leeds United jitters

The 26-year-old defender has moved to Elland Road on loan until the end of the season and is likely to go straight into the side to face leaders Norwich City this weekend.

Collins, signed to replace the injured Patrick Kisnorbo, arrives with a CV boasting two previous promotions with Sunderland and Wolves.

And the former Scotland Under-21 international points to how Mick McCarthy's Wanderers overcame a run of just one victory in 11 games last season to lift the Championship title to explain why he is confident of making it a hat-trick of successes with Leeds.

He said: "I have been keeping a close eye on Leeds. I know they started the season like a house on fire but in the last couple of months it hasn't quite fallen for them.

"That sort of thing happens in every promotion season. At Wolves last season, we hit a blip and everyone became nervous. There was a lot of pressure because Wolves had missed out on the play-offs the previous year. Everyone wanted it so badly.

"But we came through it. What it showed is a bad run doesn't mean a club won't make it and I am sure we can finish the job off at Leeds."

Collins, who has joined a United side that has collected just 15 points from 14 games in 2010, added: "We have nine games left and I feel pretty sure it will all be resolved in the club's favour. Leeds are still in a great position.

"There is not a lot wrong at Leeds, and as long as everyone remembers that then we will be all right.

"It is just time for some steady hands and, in terms of my experience of going up with big clubs, it should be a huge help.

"I see this as a great opportunity to get my third promotion. Everyone wants promotion with Leeds on their CV because it is a club that belongs much higher."

Collins, who started his career with Queens Park in Scotland, joined Sunderland during the summer of 2004 and helped the Black Cats lift the Championship title 12 months later.

Loan spells with Hartlepool United and Sheffield United followed before he was again signed by McCarthy, by now in charge at Molineux, midway through the 2006-07 season.

After repeating the trick of helping a club into the Premier League, Collins joined Preston North End in what became a 600,000 deal and was a regular until Darren Ferguson replaced Alan Irvine in January.

Since then, he has had to be content largely with a place on the bench but insists fitness will not be a problem if Simon Grayson throws him into the fray against Norwich.

He said: "The last couple of months have not been ideal with a new manager coming in (at Preston) with new ideas. Things had been going reasonably well for me at Preston under Alan Irvine.

"I was playing every week and enjoying it but it is just one of those things in football. I am at an age where I need to be playing.

"I see this as an upwards move and something that really excites me.

"I was delighted to hear Leeds were interested and couldn't wait to get here. Everyone in the country knows what a big club Leeds are and to be thrown straight into a promotion battle is great.

"I am fit and ready. It hasn't been ideal for me in the last couple of months but I have kept myself fit."

With Leeds having won just three and lost five of their 14 league games since dumping Manchester United out of the FA Cup, a trip to the runaway leaders is possibly not the ideal next fixture – especially as Millwall, three points behind United in the table, host rock-bottom Stockport County on Saturday.

Collins, however, is adamant the challenge can lift the Yorkshire club, who yesterday re-signed left-back Shane Lowry on loan from Aston Villa, and kick-start the push for promotion.

He said: "It is a great game to start with. I have been to Carrow Road a few times and it should be a great atmosphere and a full house. It is why you want to play for big clubs because you know every game you play is a big one.

"Playing for Leeds brings its own pressure and that is something I thrive on. I am a centre-back who likes to attack the ball and try to organise those around me.

"I also like to be a leader and can't wait to get started."

HOW LEEDS HAVE FALLEN APART

January

Wycombe (H) D 1-1

Exeter (A) L 0-2

Swindon (A) L 0-3

Colchester (H) W 2-0

February

Hartlepool (A) D 2-2

Leyton Orient (A) D 1-1

Walsall (H) L 1-2

Brighton (H) D 1-1

Oldham (H) W 2-0

Huddersfield (A) D 2-2

March

Brentford (H) D 1-1

Tranmere (A) W 4-1

Southampton (A) L 0-1

Millwall (H) L 0-2

Played: 14

Won: 3 Lost: 5 Drawn: 6

Goals for: 17

Goals against: 19

Points: 15 from a possible 42.