JAMES Collins is looking to save big-spending Cardiff City a massive wedge of dough.

Lebanese tycoon and Cardiff chairman Sam Hammam hasn't been shy of splashing the cash as he aims to catapult his beloved Bluebirds into the golden fields of the Premiership.

And Cardiff manager Lennie Lawrence has pinpointed £1-million-rated Tottenham Hotspur's Republic of Ireland international defender Gary Doherty as a player who could accelerate that pro-cess and hoist them out of the First Division

Newport-born Collins, however, has other ideas. The Welsh Under-21 international raised the eyebrows among the Ninian Park hierarchy following an impressive 90 minutes against Derby County on Bank Holiday Monday.

And an excellent headed goal late-on tipped a memorable weekend for Collins, who celebrated his 20th birthday the previous Saturday.

Collins hopes Monday's quick reminder of his attributes will urge Lawrence to stick with his home-grown talent rather than buying in multi-million pound reinforcements.

"I was very pleased my performance," said Collins, who still lives with his parents in Queen's Hill. "That was my chance to remind the boss what I can do.

"I know Lennie is interested in signing Gary Doherty from Spurs but I can do a job in this division as I proved on Monday. I could save the club a bit of money.

"The performance has boosted my confidence immensely and I'm sure it has given the management more belief in me."

Lawrence himself revealed yesterday that Collins, an ex-student of St Joseph's Roman Catholic High School in Duffryn, has 'put himself ahead of Spencer Prior' in the Ninian Park pecking-order thanks to that Derby display.

Journeyman Prior, 32, is a very experienced centre-half, so that statement from the Cardiff chief is some compliment for Collins.

The youngster is not getting carried away, though, with Tony Vidmar and Danny Gabbidon ahead of him.

But Wales defender Gabbidon is doubtful for tomorrow's trip to Walsall and Collins said: "I've put my case forward for a starting spot I can't do any more, it's now up to the manager.

"If Danny is fit, though, he will play, there is no doubt of that. I want what's best for Cardiff City and he is an awesome defender and deserves to be an automatic choice."

Cardiff City (from) : N Alexander, R Weston, T Vidmar, J Collins, C Barker, G Kavanagh (c), W Boland, R Langley, J Robinson, A Lee, R Earnshaw, M Bonner, S Prior, P Thorne, G Whalley, M Margetson