Collins up for Rovers Cup Clash

Danny Collins has returned to training today after suffering a concussion sustained in a challenge with Aston Villa's Nigel Reo-Coker. Colins had to be substituted as a result of the challenge after suffering from double vision. This was a turning point in the match as Nyron Nosworthy also had to be replaced at the same time.

The defender has declared hismelf fit for the FA Cup tie which sees Sam Allardyce's Blackburn Rovers at the Sunderland Stadium of Light for the third time this season.

Collins said: "His head caught me on the cheekbone, dazed me a bit and I landed funny. Afterwards I started to get blurred vision out of my right eye and I indicated to the physio that I was struggling a bit.

"But thankfully it's seems OK now and I should be fine for the weekend."

Collins has scored three goals for Sunderland and two of them have come against Aston Villa.

"I've had one or two people come up to me saying they have a few quid on me to score every week so hopefully they remembered to on Saturday," said the defender.

"I was due a goal and it was nice to get one at the Stadium of Light because my other two have come away from home, but Saturday night was disappointing in that my goal did not count for anything."

Collins added: "It's fair to say I should get more goals - the lads let me know it and I know it myself."

Nyron Nosworthy suffered a torn hamstring in the Villa match while challenging Ashley Young and is expected to be out for at least 5 weeks.

Now Ricky Sbragia really needs to bring in a new central defender, we were already short but with the new injuries we are now desperate for defensive cover.