Collins fully committed to the Hartlepool United cause

The centre-half used his Twitter account this week to have a go at critics.

"I want to put on record there's no way I'm retiring at the end of the season, so these rumours going round are completely wrong,'' he Tweeted. "I feel fitter and stronger than I've ever done so barring injury I will carry on playing as long as possible.

"So as long as HUFC want me I will do everything I possibly can to make myself available to play week in week out.''

Collins was outstanding in scoring his first goal of the season last weekend against Plymouth, as Pools moved to 50 League One points.

And coach Mick Wadsworth was full of praise for the 33-year-old after his 400th start in a Football League game.

He said: "Sam was strong and at his best is as good as anything in this division. He's been a massive player for us, he's a massive character for us.

"He's a gentleman as well and his looks belie his gentility. If he turned up at your door at ten o'clock at night you would be worried.

"But he is a lovely guy, a gentleman but on the pitch he's a warrior, leads by example and has had a terrific season.''

On hearing Collins' midweek diatribe, he added: "Sam Collins has done excellently this season. He is a great, big player for us and a great character.

"I think his eulogy on Saturday is suffice to last for the rest of this season!''

Collins and the rest of the first-team squad are back in training today.

Following Tuesday's loss to Leyton Orient, Wadsworth gave his charges some time off ahead of tomorrow's trip to Walsall.

"They are magnificent, I've told them that,'' he said. "I'm giving them two days off because they need it and they deserve it.

"They have had a tough programme and we have got to go Walsall now and have a response, which I'm sure we will and get that win that we need for the 53 points.''

Pools are likely to be without injured James Brown and Antony Sweeney tomorrow.