Sbragia hails Collins

Ricky Sbragia has urged Sunderland's big-money signings to follow the example of bargain buy Danny Collins as they attempt to drag themselves out of relegation trouble.The 28-year-old Welshman, who joined the Black Cats from Chester in October 2004 for just £140,000 under then manager Mick McCarthy, has repaid his fee many times over, in stark contrast to some of the club's more expensively-acquired arrivals.This week, he was named the supporters' association's player of the year for the second successive season having earlier been rewarded by the club with a two-and-a-half-year contract extension.Sbragia said: "Danny is really focused - that's why we gave him a contract, because he is everything you want."He loves the club, he sweats blood for it and what we get in training is what we get in games. He never, ever has, for me, a bad day in training. He gives his all - even if he is injured, he wants to come and train."Sometimes, we have to hold him back, to be honest with you. But that's what we need, we need people like him with a big heart who are quite prepared to die for the cause."

Source: Eurosport