By Chris O'Brien
June 15 2004

City boss Lennie Lawrence has hailed Welsh international centre-half James Collins, and believes the 21-year-old can do a job for the Bluebirds for a decade. Collins recently picked up his first Welsh cap, and certainly impressed the nation with a solid defensive display against Norway.

Cardiff City boss Lennie Lawrence has praised young defender James Collins and believes he has found an answer to the Bluebirds' defensive problems thanks to the home-grown talent.

Newport-born Collins had to work hard to earn his place in the first-team, with Lennie Lawrence experimenting with a number of different backline strategies before selecting the versatile centre-half. Many City fans were angered at the time it took Lawrence to start picking the 21-year-old, but Wales boss Mark Hughes was far less hesitant in selecting the defender when Wales' backline hit an injury crisis, and Collins will now hope to be a regular inclusion in Sparky's national squad.

"The more I look at James Collins, the more I'm convinced he can now do the job," said Lawrence.

"I watched James and Danny Gabbidon in Wales' two recent games and I'm sure they can be the central defenders for Cardiff over the next 10 years."

However, despite Lawrence's word speculation still mounts that the Bluebirds are looking to add another defender to their ranks following the departure of Spencer Prior on a free transfer. Canadian international Jason De Vos was described as City's 'number one target' but he preferred a move to Ipswich Town, and the club admitted being interested in Crystal Palace's Tony Popovic.