By Gareth Vincent
South Wales Evening Post

Matty Collins hopes he will be rewarded for not throwing his toys out of the pram last season with a full Swansea City debut at Charlton tomorrow.

Twelve months ago Collins left Fulham in search of first-team football at the Liberty Stadium.

But just as had been the case at Craven Cottage, the Merthyr-born midfielder was a fringe figure in Roberto Martinez's squad.

Collins's sole Swansea appearance last term was as a substitute in the FAW Premier Cup defeat at Newport County, with his only taste of league action coming during a brief loan spell at Wrexham.

And yet Collins is in contention to make Martinez's starting line-up this weekend.

"The manager hasn't really given anything away about what the side's going to be, but hopefully I might be involved," says the 22-year-old.

"I've worked hard over the summer to give myself a chance and I've been pleased with the way pre-season has gone. It would mean a lot if I was part of the side at Charlton.

"Last season was frustrating for me because like everyone else I wanted to play. But I've seen other players in that position spit their dummy out.

"They haven't shown the right attitude and they've been tossed aside as a result.

"But I got my head down and worked hard and I feel like I'm starting to reap the benefits now."

Key to Collins's move into the first-team picture has been his conversion from midfield player to right-back.

The position was owned by Angel Rangel last season but, with the Spaniard a couple of weeks from fitness, Collins has been battling it out with Alan Tate since Martinez's men returned to training seven weeks ago.

"The manager says he sees me as a right-back now," Collins adds.

"I played there a few times for Fulham so I knew the basics of the position, but the manager has helped me a lot with the defensive details.

"Things are starting to come naturally to me now and I'm enjoying being a right-back.

"Angel did fantastically there last season and Tatey is a very good player, but the competition benefits everyone.

"I feel like I'm improving every day and I'm confident I can do well for Swansea in the Championship."

Collins is bound to be feeling the nerves should he get the nod tomorrow, and his inexperience may count against him when Martinez's sits down to select the side.

But at least the Wales Under-21 cap will be in familiar surroundings.

"I played at The Valley for Fulham's reserves a few years back," he recalls.

"I think there were a few hundred fans there maybe, so tomorrow will be a bit different.

"It doesn't come much bigger than Charlton away in this division, but I'd love to be involved."