Football: New Forest Green signing Collins is a 'winner', says Hockaday (From Gazette Series)

Forest Green sign Jamie Collins for undisclosed fee from Aldershot

9:21am Thursday 2nd February 2012 in Gloucestershire Sport

FOREST Green signed midfielder Jamie Collins for an undisclosed fee from Aldershot Town on transfer deadline day, write Rob Iles and Ashley Loveridge.

The 27-year-old, who penned an 18-month deal, has made 31 appearances for the League Two club this season after joining them from Blue Square Premier outfit Newport County last summer.

A powerful, left-footed midfielder with almost 300 senior games under his belt, Collins is versatile enough to play at left back and centre-half, and has netted 30 times in his career.

Collins began his youth career as a scholar at Watford, before moving to Havant and Waterlooville, and he was captain of the side during their giant-killing FA Cup run which saw them knock out Notts County and Swansea City before losing a memorable fourth round tie 5-2 against Liverpool at Anfield.

Rovers manager David Hockaday said: “We’re delighted to have secured Jamie for the rest of the season.

“He’s a big, strong lad who can boss the midfield and is the type of player that sets a standard that others will follow. He’s a leader and a winner.

“Our players are starting to show a little bit of wear and tear after 33 games and Jamie will reinforce the middle, give us quality in depth and put pressure on the incumbents for a starting berth.”

Chairman Dale Vince allowed the former Watford coach to strengthen his injury-hit squad and the Rovers gaffer has also moved quickly to tie down Tommy Wright and Michael Pook on short-term deals until the end of the season.

Former Cheltenham captain and Swindon Town midfielder Pook, 26 was introduced as a 74th-minute substitute during Saturday’s unlucky 2-1 defeat to Blue Square Bet Premier leaders Fleetwood Town.

Hockaday said: “We’re looking very threadbare in the midfield area and it’s fortunate that Michael has been training with us and can fit straight in.”

Pook has been training with Rovers for the past three months while also playing for Conference South outfit Maidenhead United. Former Leicester City, Darlington and Aberdeen striker Tommy Wright, 27, was released by Rovers’ Blue Square Bet Premier rivals Luton Town last week.

He trained with Rovers last week and was an unused substitute on Saturday.

Hockaday added: “We need more striking power and he’s a big strong centre-forward who should help us find the back of the net more. Tommy spent five years at Leicester and played at Aberdeen with (Forest Green skipper) Jared Hodgkiss in the Scottish Premier League and with Sam Russell at Darlington.

“These signings are a statement of intent.”

* Rovers travel to AFC Telford on Saturday (3pm).