Sky Sports pundit and former Republic of Ireland striker Clinton Morrison believes Aaron Collins can be a “wild card” for Wales at the World Cup with the Bristol Rovers striker continuing to put pressure on national team boss Rob Page.
Collins wasn’t able to add to his nine goals and six assists at Sheffield Wednesday in midweek but did play an influential role in Josh Coburn’s equaliser with a perfectly-timed dummy from Antony Evans’ pass which the home defence didn’t read and allowed his teammate a run at goal, from which he finished.
But the 25-year-old once again delivered an eye-catching display for the Gas, not just with his work inside the penalty area but in how he linked the play, created space for others and carried the ball from deep as a creator.
Page last week submitted his 55-man provisional list to FIFA which must be reduced by 26 by November 13, and while it’s unconfirmed if Collins name was on the longlist, it’ll be a huge surprise if he’s not.
Rovers have two more games - Derby County and Rochdale in the FA Cup - before the announcement for the travelling party to Qatar, providing the striker with a few more opportunities to further his cause. And while his inclusion is towards the unlikely end of the scale, due to the fact he’s never been capped by his country at senior level and Page likes to lean on those who played in qualification, there can’t be too many Welsh forwards in better form.
Former Crystal Palace and Birmingham City striker Morrison was part of the Ireland squad at the 2002 World Cup, having won his first international cap just 12 months earlier.
“He will be knocking on the Welsh door for sure,” Morrison told Sky Sports. “He is definitely in that 55, he has scored nine goals and got six assists. I would probably put him in that 26 as he would be a wild card and not many would know much about him. He will be putting pressure on Rob Page.
“What I like about him is I know he can score goals but it’s the assists as well. Centre forwards don’t like to assist, they just like to score goals. His all-round game is brilliant and he has gone to another level.”
Collins' goal contributions should be slightly higher than the 15 he has so far in the league - joint second-highest overall across the four top divisions - as he was denied an assist for Rovers' opener against Plymouth Argyle.
His low cross found Coburn to convert from close range at the start of the second half but because the ball first struck Argyle keeper Mike Cooper and then back onto Coburn, Collins wasn't credited with the assist.
Collins has never made any secret of his desire to represent his country and manager Joey Barton has always been on the campaign trail, although both accept that this would be the latest of late runs into a squad which Page has tended to keep as settled as possible.
In his selection for the Nations League fixtures in September, Page included just two uncapped players - third-choice goalkeeper Tom King of Salford City and Birmingham City teenage midfielder Jordan James.
Of his six forwards in that group, Gareth Bale, Daniel James, Kieffer Moore, Tyler Roberts and Brennan Johnson are near-certainties to travel to Qatar, should they be fit. Which probably leaves one place remaining with Cardiff City’s Mark Harris most recently picked, and playing in the Championship, but with just two goals in 14 games.
Fulham winger Harry Wilson returned to action last weekend following a knee injury, while Rangers’ Rabbi Matondo has been another recent call-up but has struggled to find form in the Scottish Premiership.
“What I really like about him (Collins) is that he is comfortable on both sides. If you show him on his left, and he will go on his left, he’s as equally as good on his right,” added former Peterborough United striker Aaron McLean on Sky Sports.
"Strikers like that when you get in that mode, you’re better than anyone. Once you get in the groove and you’re scoring goals regularly you feel like you’re going to go out on the pitch and score. He’s doing that, he scored last season and he’s doing it again this season.
"It’s hard not to be on your mind. He’s only 25 and he’s a young lad as well. He’s taken to it like a duck to water. For me I found stepping up from League Two to League One I found it almost easier.
"I felt more comfortable and you’re playing against better players. He will be looking at this and thinking if I can get high level figures then there is no reason why he shouldn’t be in contention."
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