NEWPORT’S James Collins admits he is desperate to play for Wales in Wednesday’s World Cup qualifying trip to Germany after ending ten months of injury hell.

The 25-year-old has been out since January with a cruciate ligament injury, but made his return to the international fold on Saturday, making a cameo appearance in Wales’ 2-0 win over Liechtenstein, which took them to second in group four.

It will be no easy test facing the Euro 2008 finalists and group leaders on home soil, but Collins admitted he is desperate to start after such a long spell on the sidelines, particularly after getting a taste of the big time again on Saturday.

He explained: “It was nice to get on the pitch at the Millennium Stadium, though I was disappointed not to be starting. But the boys who did start have been doing very well since I have been away.

“It was nice to pull that red shirt on again and I am fit enough to play in Germany.

“Obviously it’s a tough game, but we feel we can get a result.

“I feel I am as fit as I have ever been in my life, since the operation I have been working to get back and it has paid off, I am fitter and stronger than ever before.”

Collins admits a spell on the sidelines has made him re-evaluate his career.

“My attitude has probably changed, I’ve never had a serious injury before and it makes you take a step back and look at where you want to go,” he said.

“I have come back more hungry than ever to succeed.

“I need as many games as possible, I’ve been out for almost a year and hopefully if I do play on Wednesday I will come through it without any problems.

“My body is as good as it has ever been, I am looking forward to every game and coming back from injury is tough, it makes you think about where you are heading and I can concentrate on my football again and hopefully become a better player.

“Wales are getting results at the moment, but we are not playing as well as we can.”

Collins insists his rehabilitation at West Ham has given him the fitness he needs in Germany, but he was quick to credit one man in particular.

“I have been training at West Ham, but it wasn’t a gamble coming away on international duty, I am ready to play,” he said.

“Craig Bellamy, especially, has been a massive help to me in my rehabilitation, he’s the most positive man in the world and has had long-term injuries before, whereas it was my first one.

“He’s been great with me, he has been injured at the same time and he also knows what it is like to be injured at my age as well, so he’s encouraged me a lot.

“Having him around at West Ham has been great, it was brilliant to see him back against Liechtenstein and hopefully I can play with him on Wednesday and we can keep Wales near the top of the group.”