Bengaluru FC rope in midfielder Collins

Bengaluru FC, on Thursday, announced that the club would be replacing injured midfielder Joshua Walker with fellow Englishman and midfielder Michael Collins.

Walker, who missed the first two games of the season with a knee issue, faces a long layoff to keep him out for the rest of the season, prompting Ashley Westwood to ring in the change.

“It’s under unfortunate circumstances that we have to replace Josh with another player but this is a short, congested season which means we had to move quickly,” said Westwood.

“We’ve done our due diligence on Michael and I’ve spoken with former coaches, players and current scouts on the basis of which I’ve made my choice. Michael has more than 300 games in English football under his belt, is a good character and will be a good example of a professional to everyone around,” he added.

Twenty-nine-year-old Collins started his career with Huddersfield Town with whom he spent six seasons, playing 173 times and scoring 19 goals. His second substantial spell was with current League One team Scunthorpe United where he played 79 games before moving to AFC Wimbledon (on loan), Oxford United and York City (on loan).

Collins is slated to arrive over the coming week, ruling him out of the Bengaluru’s first home game against Shillong Lajong on Sunday. “There’s no time and I’m going to have to blend in right away. But I don’t think that should be a worry because I’ve been keeping myself fit. I can’t wait to come over and play my part in helping the club win the League,” said Collins who has six caps for the Republic of Ireland at the under-21 level.