DANNY COLLINS fears he could lose his place in the Sunderland starting line-up at Everton this weekend - and the young centre-back has talked up the Black Cats chances of winning the FA Cup fourth round tie.

Collins along with namesake Neill has formed the heart of Mick McCarthy's backline in the last two Championship matches against Sheffield United and Derby - games which the pair have kept clean sheets.

And his displays have alerted new Wales boss John Toshack, who is expected to name Collins, who has a Welsh father, in the squad today to face Hungary on February 9.

But, despite his fortune on the international front, the return to training of Steve Caldwell and Gary Breen could mean that the less experienced pair may make way at Goodison Park this weekend.

Caldwell has not played since the draw with Gillingham on January 3 after picking up a knee injury, while Caldwell has been ruled out since sustaining a calf injury during the cup triumph over Crystal Palace.

It would be a blow to both Collins' if McCarthy did choose to bring in his captain and former Newcastle defender Caldwell, but Collins feels he has done enough to stay in the team.

The 24-year-old has had to bide his time since moving from Chester in October and, although he has started four league matches as full-back, it is only the last two games that he has been played in his preferred position.

And Collins hopes he proved he is more than capable of holding down a place and is optimistic he will retain his place against Everton.

"It has been nice to be playing and it's been even nicer to be playing as a left sided centre-back. That is my position and it has been great to play there," said Collins.

"Myself and Neill have done well together in the last couple of games and hopefully that can continue. I have not had a chance to play alongside Steve or Gary so I don't know what it's like to play with them.

"But I had played alongside Neil for the reserves so that has helped us to take that form into the first team.

"The two have been back in training, so I don't know what's going to happen on Saturday, but it would be nice to run out at Goodison Park after playing well in the last couple of games."

* Sunderland goalkeeper Mart Poom has been named in the Estonian squad for next month's friendly with Venezuela. Poom will be asked to leave Sunderland on February 6 ahead of the match three days later.

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