The 21-year-old midfielder has established himself as a key part of Tony Mowbray’s midfield and this season has featured in 13 out of 14 league games for the Wearsiders.
Neil has scored three goals while assisting twice so far this season and has turned some heads with his impressive performances.
Collins believes that Neil has shown maturity beyond his age in Sunderland’s midfield by partnering with two inexperienced youngsters in the form of Jobe Bellingham and Pierre Ekwah.
The ex-Sunderland star stressed that Neil understands the club and added that the midfielder has commanded the Black Cats midfield this season.
“It feels like he has been around for years now”, Collins told Sunderland’s media.
“What is he now 21, 22 isn’t he?
“So he is playing almost beyond his years in that midfield three really with Jobe’s 18 and Pierre is in there as well with him, not too experienced, you know.
“You have Corey in the treatment room, so Dan’s really taking the bull by the horns in that midfield role.
“We talk about him all the time.
“I spoke about him highly with his interview before the Leicester game being back in the team and he knows what it means to play for the club as a young lad from the area.”
Neil scored a goal in Sunderland’s 3-1 win over Norwich City at the Stadium of Light at the weekend.
