Back in the heart of the Hammers' defence, the Wales international is already dreaming of representing his country in France next summer
It is often claimed that the rigours and demands of the modern game can leave footballers far removed from the excitement of supporters who bring the sport to life.
Yet as a capacity crowd drifted away from Upton Park after watching him earn a hard-fought clean sheet for his club against Stoke, James Collins was busy sourcing the nearest television in order to discover exactly who his country would face at next summer’s European Championship.
Having seen his beloved Wales – widely regarded as the team to avoid in Pot 4 – drawn against Slovakia, Russia and fierce rivals England, the defender was not left disappointed.
“I actually watched the draw up in my box after the game,” says Collins as he sits down after training at the West Ham’s new Rush Green complex in Chadwell Heath.
“It was weird as I sort of knew it was coming. On our last international trip we all spoke about the chances of us being drawn against England and sure enough it happened.
“Us Wales boys have got a bit of a group chat going on WhatsApp so as soon as the draw was made everyone was on there talking about the games, where we are going to be staying, bits and bobs like that.
“Knowing who we are facing and where to send my family to watch has definitely helped to make the whole thing feel a bit more real now – provided that I get picked, of course!
The nervous laugh accompanying that final remark betrays a serious realisation that the Dragons’ defender cannot afford to rest on his laurels.
Now in his second stint and seventh season with West Ham, the gritty centre-half affectionately known as ‘Ginge’ has endured a stop-start season so far.
Stiff competition from the established duo of Winston Reid and James Tomkins, as well as Italian international Angelo Ogbonna who was signed from Juventus this summer, meant that Collins was forced to wait until October for his first Premier League start.
An away win over Crystal Palace in that game was immediately followed by a memorable victory at home to Chelsea.
But his run in the side was curtailed following his sending off in the defeat to Watford, a rush of blood to the head for which the frustration clearly still lingers – “I was kicking myself for weeks and weeks”.
However, with Reid sidelined by a hamstring injury, Collins now has another chance to emphasise his credentials for both club and country.
And having helped the Hammers to two clean sheets in their last two outings – including a hugely impressive man-of-the-match performance against Swansea on Sunday which drew special praise from manager Slaven Bilic – he is clearly not willing to give up his place in the side without a fight.
Such form will certainly go a long way to securing a place in the Wales squad next summer.
An 18-month hiatus from Wales following a dispute with Chris Coleman meant Collins featured in just one of their 10 qualifiers – the 3-0 win in Israel in March.
But having settled their differences over coffee in a Cardiff shopping centre, Coleman has expressed his relief at having the 32-year-old’s “presence and personality” to call upon once again as his side prepare to compete at their first major tournament since 1958.
Not that the elder statesman tag is one that Collins feels too comfortable with.
“I’m the oldest by a mile but I definitely still consider myself as one of the boys,” he jokes.
“Most of them made their debuts at the age of 17 when I was probably 23 or 24 so I have known them for a long time.
“I may be bit older and a bit more experienced but I still like to think I can still bring a bit to the atmosphere in the dressing room and hopefully the lads would say the same.
“Besides, when the tournament actually comes around I will probably be the most excited of all of us purely because I have been playing for Wales a lot longer.”
With their recent rise built around young talents such as Gareth Bale and Aaron Ramsey who still look to have their best years ahead of them, the hope is that Wales can now qualify for tournaments on a more regular basis.
Collins, though, realises that this summer represents a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity – one that he is determined to make the most of.
“I have played in some tremendous Wales teams with some great players and we have come nowhere near qualifying,” he says.
“So to do it now at the age of 32 with such a talented group and such a close-knit squad would be one of the greatest achievements of my career.
“Obviously we will enjoy the occasion of going to a tournament and go there with high hopes of getting through.
“It is a new experience for everyone so we are still finding our feet but everyone is looking forward to it and, looking at the group, we are very optimistic because on our day we can be a match for anyone.”
Eventually the time comes for Collins to bid farewell since he is due to take his children to Hamleys toy store to meet Santa.
Following a hard day’s training and having patiently fulfilled all of his media duties, he could be forgiven for not relishing a trip into central London.
Collins, though, is genuinely enthusiastic at the prospect.
Yet perhaps that is not so surprising.
After all, given his obvious excitement as what the summer could have in store, Collins understands exactly what it is to feel like a kid at Christmas.
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