CLUB captain Michael Collins believes he has been 'a little bit selfish' by swapping his place on the bench in Scunthorpe United's promotion push for first-team football at AFC Wimbledon.
The former Huddersfield Town midfielder is now a week into his loan spell with the Dons and has already played in two matches, including Tuesday's 2-1 victory at Newpott County - where his parent club head this weekend.
Collins asked United for the opportunity to go elsewhere because he had become frustrated at being unable to force his way back into the first team with any regularity on the back of suffering a knee injury, ironically against Wimbledon, back in August.
The 27-year-old is scheduled to stay with the Dons until the end of the season, although United do have a recall option once the first 28 days of the deal have expired.
He is though still fully behind Scunthorpe's quest for promotion League Two - albeit from almost 200 miles away.
'The ultimate thing was I wanted to play football. I'm 27 and I've had a few injuries in the last few years, so when you have been out for so long and you are now fit it is hard to sit and watch,' Collins told getwestlondon.co.uk.
'I still want Scunthorpe to be promoted and I want them to do well but just from a personal standpoint when you have missed as much football as I have through injury sometimes you have got to be a little bit selfish and get out and play games and that is all it was.
'There is nothing like the feeling of being out on a Saturday. You can play as many reserve games as you want, but nothing can get your lungs burning like the first 20 minutes against Bury.
'That is the step up you need as a professional footballer and as much as I did feel part of things at Scunthorpe and I was willing the boys to do well, that little part of you always wants to play.'
Collins was made captain of United when he agreed a new one-year contract last summer.
He has no complaints though about being out of the starting XI - particularly as midfield duo Sean McAllister and Dave Syers have been two of the stars of the Iron's 17-match unbeaten run - and claims his off-the-field role should not automatically give the him the right to feature.
'I've been a little bit unfortunate this season. I picked up an injury and prior to coming back to fitness the lads have gone on an unbelievable unbeaten run,' he said.
'I've had to sit on the bench, which is part and parcel of football - I don't have a problem with that.
'When the lads are playing well, they need to be rewarded. Regardless of your stature, even with me being captain, I understood your shirt isn't guaranteed.
'I certainly haven't got a problem with being at Scunthorpe. It's a place I've enjoyed being at and I still enjoy being at. This loan is just about getting the opportunity to get playing again and get up and running.'
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