Aaron Collins dropped down a division to affix MK Dons from Bolton final June and was anticipated to make mild work of Sky Wager League Two.
It was for good cause; in 2024/25, he had been named Wanderers’ Participant of the Yr after 19 objectives and 5 assists in 55 video games in all competitions.
After a medical in Dubai – on the finish of an low season vacation to Thailand and Bali – he arrived because the Dons’ club-record signing. There was pleasure to ship worth for the reported £800,000 price that had modified arms.
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Aaron Collins discusses present process a medical whereas on vacation in Dubai final summer season earlier than his swap from Bolton to MK Dons.
It was typical, then, that he would endure an damage on his debut at dwelling to Oldham on August 2.
“In the first game of the season, I ended up breaking my shoulder,” Collins says. “And it ought to have been a penalty, however I did not get one for it, which made it much more irritating!
“I performed on as I assumed I’d simply jarred it, then I had an x-ray on it on the Monday and it was confirmed I might damaged it, which put me out for six to eight weeks.
Collins was named Bolton’s Participant of the Yr in 2024/25
“It was a kick in the teeth because I had that new club feeling and I was so ready for the new season. I was 100 per cent ready to go and I wanted to play a massive part.”
As an alternative, Collins sat on the sidelines for six league video games and the Carabao Cup first-round defeat to Bristol Metropolis.
He returned as an alternative within the 1-1 draw away at Chesterfield on September 13, then scored in a 5-1 Vertu Trophy defeat to West Ham’s U21s three days later.
However in a coaching session in direction of the top of that week, he pulled his hamstring and didn’t play for one more two months.
“I’d never been in that situation before,” he says.
“I’d never had an injury that had kept me out for more than a game or two, just things like a kick on the ankle where I’d struggle through the next game. It was mentally draining.
The ahead broke his shoulder on his MK Dons debut
“I thought I could go through my whole career without being injured, but it was going to happen at some point and everything happens for a reason.”
There was, although, time to replicate.
“I got to put myself in other people’s shoes who had been there in the past and are going through it now. I could never really understand how they were feeling before. To be able to do that was quite refreshing mentally.”
Collins’ first league begin for the reason that opening day got here towards Harrogate 5 days earlier than Christmas, and he marked the event with a double in a 4-0 win. “The excitement came back,” he provides. “I thought this is the time to kick on and show why I’m here.”
By mid-February, he had been match and out there for the most effective a part of three months. Accidents had been a factor of the previous – or so he thought.
He scored what proved to be the winner in a 1-0 victory over former membership Newport on February 14, however halfway by the second half, inside a 10-minute interval, he and team-mate Callum Paterson had been taken off injured.
Each had suffered ankle ligament accidents and Collins was initially anticipated to bear surgical procedure.
“It wasn’t nice. It was like something was trying to take the season away from me,” he says.
“It was a crucial time with 12 or 13 games to go. Patto’s was unfortunately worse than mine, so I needed to make sure I could get back as quickly as possible.
“Fortunately, I solely missed two video games and had 10 days out. I’ve labored laborious to maintain the swelling and the ache away and it is feeling good. All I am nervous about now could be making up for the time I missed.
“The main thing has just been being back starting; I feel I can affect the game a lot more when I’m starting. I’m just playing my game, trying to be that focal point.
“Since Patto has gone out, I’ve wanted to step up and fill in, as he was on hearth earlier than that.
The 28-year-old has six objectives and 4 assists in 27 League Two appearances
“I’ve had in my head, bad luck comes in threes and I’m done! Now I can just concentrate on being back in the team and playing a massive part in getting this team promoted.”
Talking of which, with two video games left to play, they’re on the cusp. A 3-season keep in League Two – the longest in MK Dons’ quick historical past – is nearly over.
Collins was promoted from this division with Bristol Rovers in 2021/22 and, the night time they went up, he ended up celebrating on the highest of a visitors mild. This time, he jokes, a roundabout is extra seemingly. “There’s plenty to pick from round here!”
He provides: “It’s a known saying in football that there’s no better feeling than promotion.
“I might have spent possibly 50 per cent of this season out injured, however having the ability to be concerned within the different 50 per cent and play my half and be concerned in a promotion with 25 to 30 lads is a sense you cherish perpetually.
“I still think about the promotion I had with Bristol Rovers. That was probably more unexpected than if we do get promoted here, just regarding the last day and everything that went on. That was more of a shock, an enjoyable shock.”
“Here, we’ve come into form at the right time and we’re going into the last games with massive confidence.”
Collins can be hoping for much less drama subsequent season, however he won’t overlook this one in a rush.
Watch MK Dons vs Tranmere stay on Sky Sports activities+ from 12.25pm on Saturday; kick-off 12.30pm
