CHRIS COLLINS is determined to figure as one of the young guns Andy King wants to unleash before the end of the current campaign.

The 18-year-old right-back is about to complete his first season as a professional but it looks as though his international appearances will eclipse those at club level.

Merthyr Tydfil-born Collins has played for the Welsh Under 19 side this year but he craves an opportunity to finally don the number 30 shirt for his club.

Of the senior players in King's squad, Collins is the only one not to have figured in a matchday squad.

He has gone about his job quietly but effectively in the reserves and starred in Town's 2-0 win over Wootton Bassett at the County Ground on Wednesday night.

But he dreams of running out in front of the Town fans for a full Second Division clash.

He said: "The gaffer has said he will give youth its chance once the club are safe and I want the chance to show him what I can do.

"He has already said the squad will be smaller and probably younger next season so the opportunity is there to be grasped.

"I feel my game has developed this year and training every day with the senior players can only help bring you on."

The name Collins has made headlines this year.

But it was younger brother Matthew who was the focus of attention, following the 15-year-old's £200,000 move to Fulham in October.

He said: "I'm obviously delighted for Matthew and he's doing well and enjoying it at Fulham."

While pleased for his little brother, Collins is determined to make some headlines of his own.

Former youth team colleagues such as Nathan Edwards, Bryan Smith and Kevin Halliday have all been touted for first team starts and Collins is anxious not to be excluded from the list.

He said: "It is slightly odd I suppose. People like Kevin and Nathan are actually older than me but I was lucky enough to get a pro contract at the end of last year.

"Obviously I would have loved to be involved on a match day before now but the gaffer has had a chat with me and the onus is on me to prove myself.

"I was realistic enough to know that I wasn't going to walk straight into the first team this year.

"But I am ambitious and want to be part of the manager's plans for next season."

And while most of Town's players are soaking up the summer sun, Collins break may be curtailed by further international commitments.

He said: "We have a double header with Norway in May, so I'm hoping to be included in that squad.

"The next step is to try and push for a place in the Welsh Under 21s."

Town's Under 19s are in action tomorrow when they travel to Exeter City in the Youth Merit Alliance Division One.