Danny Collins is of the view that Niall Huggins has been excellent for Sunderland this season and believes that the Black Cats need him back as soon as possible.
The 23-year-old right-back missed the majority of last season due to injury and this season he has been one of the standout performers for Sunderland.
On Saturday, Huggins picked up an injury after a collision with Coventry City’s Jay Dasilva in the 85th minute and was stretchered off the field.
Collins stated that after being out of action for the majority of the last season, Huggins has taken the opportunity to establish himself in the Sunderland starting line-up in the ongoing campaign by performing excellently.
He also pointed out that the Black Cats star has shown his quality in both the left-back and right-back roles and stressed that the player is brilliant going forward.
Collins also stated that Sunderland will need Huggins back as soon as possible to aid their campaign.
“I had a few chats with him last season, and you could see he was low and down”, Collins said on Sunderland’s media.
“He wanted to be out there.
“He is a great lad; we spoke to him in pre-match before, loves his football and he has had his big opportunity this season and he has taken it.
“He has been excellent for us; whether he plays right-back or left-back, loves getting forward.
“The goal he scored a couple of months back was excellent; he just went on an amazing run and smashed it in the top corner there.
“Looking at it, we thought it was a bit of a clash of knees at first.
It was Dasilva, he sort of brushes him and then it just buckles under his left knee, so it does not look good for him, but we wish him well and yes, we want to see a fit Niall Huggins back out there as soon as we can.”
Sunderland are set to take on Hull City on Boxing Day at the MKM Stadium and Michael Beale will be looking for all three points.
