Collins is back on the goal trail again as he looks to impress boss Kenny in race for World Cup spot
Collins Sarr
JAMES COLLINS is hoping his first goal in 10 games doubles as a World Cup reminder.
The Luton striker took his season’s tally into double figures for a seventh successive campaign by tapping in Harry Cornick’s 11th-minute cross.
That answered Hatters boss Nathan Jones’ (below, middle) plea for more goals but was only worth a point after Naby Sarr poached a 73rd-minute Terriers equaliser.
Collins, 30, is hoping Republic of Ireland manager Stephen Kenny was also impressed ahead of next month’s World Cup qualification double-header with Serbia and Luxembourg, which is followed by a friendly with 2022 hosts Qatar.
The striker played against Wales and Bulgaria in November last year and is keen to add to his six-cap collection.
Collins said: “I want to play for my country as much as I can and I know that my club form needs to be spot on to get into the squad because there are a lot of lads fighting for places.
“All I can do is score goals for Luton and the rest will take care of itself.
“We have three games next month and I have spoken to the gaffer a few times, so I am hoping to stay fit and healthy and be in the squad.” At 34, Huddersfield’s Richard Keogh knows his Ireland days, which saw him play in the 2016 Euro finals, are probably over.
But then again perhaps not as the surprise January signing from MK Dons has already helped shore up a defence that is still too leaky for boss Carlos Corberan’s liking.
Sarr (below, right) was at fault for Luton’s opener by surrendering possession cheaply but made amends by poking home an equaliser after Hatters goalkeeper Simon Sluga had parried Juninho Bacuna’s free-kick.
Keogh said: “If you ask Naby himself he’d say he could have done better but he didn’t let it affect him. As a group we kept
Referee: Leigh Doughty round him and kept him in the game and he is obviously a threat from set-plays. I was buzzing when he tapped it in.”
Terriers defender Harry Toffolo was shown a straight red card in stoppage time for sliding into substitute Glen Rea, who headed on to a post straight afterwards. Huddersfield are likely to appeal.
Keogh said: “I’m gutted for Toffs, he slipped and I thought it was very, very harsh. Hopefully it can get rescinded because he will be a big miss for us.” LUTON:
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