Collins told: You can be the man to lead Wales

Feb 3 2008 by Chris Wathan, Wales On Sunday

JOHN TOSHACK last night tipped crocked star James Collins as a future Wales captain.

The Wales boss revealed the West Ham defender was left ‘devastated’ after he was ruled out for up to a year with knee ligament damage.

The injury, picked up after an innocuous challenge playing for the Hammers’ reserves, will see the 24-year-old miss the start of the World Cup qualifiers in September.

But Toshack has boosted the 24-cap centre-back by predicting that he will be an ideal future skipper for his young guns.

Toshack said: “James really is devastated and you could tell that when we spoke to him when he first heard about it. It’s a bitter blow for us and him.

“His best games for us were the two recent ones against the Czechs and the Germans and he was forming a good understanding with Danny Gabbidon and Lewin Nyatanga against tough opposition.

“But he will still have a long future with us and he could be and should be a future captain of these younger lads.

“When Simon Davies, Craig Bellamy, Gabbs and Jason Koumas have gone five years down the line, James will still only be 28 or 29 – the other lads behind him will be 24/25.”

It is a major backing for Collins who, like defensive partner Gabbidon, has received his fair share of criticism from his international manager.

But Toshack did also warn that Collins (inset,below) will have to continue to improve to become the player he can be, with concentration long highlighted as a weakness in the ex-Real Madrid chief’s eyes.

Toshack said: “It’s no good being best player for 85mins then slipping and letting the opposition score.

“There are little things there to improve on – he’s got some childish habits and can throw his arms about at times.

“Like everyone you’ve got to concentrate and be disciplined.”

Toshack will now have to start forming a new triple partnership in the centre of defence before the World Cup qualifying campaign begins against Azerbaijan, with Wednesday’s friendly with Norway the first opportunity to assess the likes of Steve Evans and Craig Morgan, without ruling out the possibility of Chris Gunter switching into the middle.

And he added: “The positive thing to come from this is that it might have happened in September – by it happening now so we can prepare for the qualifiers.

“People who can play in that position will be thinking, ‘James is out for nine months; I’ve got a chance’.”