And although the 29-year-old (pictured) was initially surprised and hurt at being told he could leave Sunderland in August, after five years on Wearside, he says he is not one to be bitter.

Collins, Sunderland's current player of the season as voted by fans, will receive his award at the annual Ramside Hall presentation night later this month.

He said: "I have nothing to prove to Steve Bruce. I know what I can do and I am sure the fans at Sunderland were pretty pleased with how I did.

"Steve Bruce's opinion of me is entirely up to him, but I have no grudges against him and I wish the club only the best."

Collins is one of just a few players to have been twice voted player of the season by supporters, but he admits that getting recognition in an award which spans the whole of the North East gives him similar pride to receiving the fans' accolade.

He said: "Picking up the player of the season award for Sunderland was an honour in itself, so to cap it off with this award was pretty special.

"It is certainly something I am proud of and will look back on proudly in a few years.

"I had five good years at Sunderland, especially the last three seasons.

"We won the Championship under Roy Keane and then had two pretty solid seasons back in the Premier League.

"I met some good people there and really enjoyed my time at Sunderland."

Collins is determined to be there at the awards ceremony on Sunday, November 29, the day after Stoke play Blackburn at Ewood Park.

And he's hoping that he arrives at the Ramside do in good mood with a decent result against Rovers under his belt.

Collins has had an up and down time at the Britannia Stadium since joining in a deal worth potentially £4m in August – good performances generally, marred by the concession of a penalty early in his time at Stoke.

But he's gradually going from strength to strength at left-back and is keeping Sunderland old boy Danny Higginbotham out of the Potters' side.

He said: "I feel as though I am starting afresh at Stoke, but I feel I have settled in pretty well and I am enjoying it – I have just moved into my house which helps, after spending seven weeks in a hotel.

"I played with Danny Higginbotham at Sunderland so I know he's a good player and a good defender.

"He's been unlucky and I know he will be hurting that he's not playing.

"But he's a good lad and he's not sulked about it."