Former West Ham central defender James Collins has revealed he has been in contact with Stoke City in addition to training with the Blues.

The 35-year-old free agent spent time with Town over the last couple of weeks and, according to manager Paul Hurst, seemed keen on joining the Blues.

However, a hamstring injury has sidelined him for a fortnight with Hurst unwilling to offer him a deal until he is fit.

“I’d go anywhere, you can only go where you’re wanted,” Collins told BBC Radio 5 Live. “I love football. I’m 35 but I’ve never been the quickest anyway and I’ve never had the pace to lose. I’ve adapted my game around that.

“I still know in myself I can play in the Premier League. I was sad to leave West Ham but I’m ready to go and looking forward to it.

“West Ham didn’t get off to the best of starts and I’m training there as they were talking about defending. In the back of my head I was probably thinking that if I do all right there might be a chance. But that wasn’t going to happen.

“There haven’t been people banging the door down but I’ve spoken to a few clubs. It was quite well known that I was training at Ipswich last week and Stoke, I’m still in contact with them. I would go anywhere. I love playing football, still do, and I’ve got plenty in the legs.”

Collins has now ruled out a return to West Ham: “It’s not going to happen. I was down there two or three weeks ago training and I probably held on to it for too long hoping it was going to happen but a line is under that now and I move on.

“I had been speaking to a few clubs, nothing really came about, and you can do all the running you like on your own but you start missing it.

“I would never say a bad word about West Ham so I picked up the phone to David Sullivan, asked if I could go in and he was more than helpful.

“I feel good. I’ve done a lot of work. I knew when I was leaving West Ham it probably wouldn’t happen straight away so I spoke to a couple of the fitness guys and got all the fitness bits done.

“Obviously the longer it goes on you worry a little bit but the last couple of weeks it’s speeded up. Going into West Ham and people knowing I’m pretty much fit and ready to go has helped. Fingers crossed this time next week or in a couple of weeks I’ll have something sorted.”

Photo: TWTD

christiand added 09:57 - Sep 16 Money will ultimately talk in securing this deal.
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BlueandTruesince82 added 09:59 - Sep 16 Well hes not comming here now is he
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Taricco_Fan added 10:05 - Sep 16 Stoke = bigger club, more money and no relegation scrap. Why would he come here?
1

Oldsmoker added 10:08 - Sep 16 The man's acting like a slut - offering himself around like that. He should be ashamed.
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Reuserscurtains added 10:12 - Sep 16 Would you honestly join this Ipswich team under Hurst? I don't think I would, if other options were available.
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rfretwell added 10:14 - Sep 16 Another old pro on his last legs. Just what we need!
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budsweatannbeers added 10:29 - Sep 16 He needs to either sign for us or get on his bike. Why are we helping what will probably be someone else's player get fit..?
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Philpomr added 10:42 - Sep 16 Love you to join - but run (when you can) this club is a mess at moment.
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runningout added 10:56 - Sep 16 Nice of us to give other championship player a few training sessions. Move on Mr Collins. We will climb up this league once our players realise teams won't roll over for us.
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Bluearmy_81 added 10:58 - Sep 16 Hi Phil how about a new poll; "Should Evans invest properly, fitting with a great football club with a rich history aiming for promotion into the top flight or just f cuk off already?" Thanks
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warktheline added 11:26 - Sep 16 Really could have done with his experience if of course he's still ‘up for it'....Stoke bound no doubt!
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Bluearmy_81 added 11:41 - Sep 16 Cock and running out (of time), keep backing Evans all the way into league one you complete saps
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geminimustang added 11:44 - Sep 16 The guy comes in,trains well,picks up a niggling injury and ITFC do what they do best.Piddle about!The guy starts talking to other clubs,he wants to earn some money,support his family,play football.He gets told by contributors on this forum,to go away,is called a slut.What would you do?MM retaliated and was thought of worse for it.Collins do yourself a favour,carefully consider your options and if you do join ITFC,be prepared for the flak.

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ArnieM added 12:33 - Sep 16 35yrs old....” never been the quickest “ and a hamstring ya boot !! Nah, I think Hurst is being VERY wise not to jump to contract offer. As much as I'd love him to join us , I think Collins is probably past his best now and would spend most of his time here on the physio plinth once offered a contract. Move on.
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peteswindon added 12:59 - Sep 16 Even injured he would be better then what we have at the moment
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jonwillpott added 13:03 - Sep 16 A friend of mine who supports Villa has said they wouldn't want him anywhere near their club....he is trouble apparently!! Our best option I feel is to go with the three centre-backs we have until January and, if we can manage to stagger up the table by then, bring Luke Woolfenden back and give him game time in the second half of the season. Providing we stay up this year we cannot now expect much more and we need to use this as a transitional year to develop some younger players for next season imo.

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leftie1972 added 13:29 - Sep 16 Bye then!
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deano85 added 17:57 - Sep 16 IM sure he would be good, but personally i would hold on it. It would put an end to someone in jan comming in as we will be high in numbers
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blueboy1981 added 19:58 - Sep 16 Don't keep making excuses Ipswich - HE'S FIT - and we need him to shore a calamitous defence up - just look at the goals conceded yesterday.... !!! How can any sane mind discount such experience ? - current facts are, a sane mind couldn't, but there will be certain people who will, and our malaise will continue.
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