Keane gives Danny Collins the seal of approval

Apr 17 2008 By Western Mail

SUNDERLAND manager Roy Keane has praised Welsh international Danny Collins for winning back his first-team place and helping the Black Cats away from the Premiership danger zone.

The 27-year-old defender was unable to force his way into Keane’s team earlier in the season, but has since returned and has started 20 of the last 21 games, with only a one-match suspension spoiling his record.

Keane said: "I say to every player, ‘If you train properly and you answer me on the training pitch and in the games, you don’t need to be coming to see me in the office.’

"When players are left out, listen, you don’t need to tell me they are grumpy.

"I know that. But they have to answer me in the best way, and that’s by training properly, and Danny trains like he plays in games.

"He is very enthusiastic, he gets stuck in and he deserves a lot of credit for that. That’s not down to me or the coaching staff, that’s down to Danny Collins himself."