After getting his first two league goals, the former Bolton man feels he has a lot to live up to

Striker Aaron Collins feels he has to pick up where Nathaniel Mendez-Laing left off as the pair swapped places on the pitch and the MK Dons treatment room.

No sooner was the Welsh hitman back fit after his string of freak injuries, effectively keeping him out of action since the opening day of the season, the Guatemalan international suffered a hamstring injury which looks set to keep him out until the latter part of the season.

Mendez-Laing had started to hit peak form as well, finding the back of the net six times in five matches prior to the injury, which struck in the first-half against Cambridge United a couple of weeks ago.

Collins though made up for lost time with a brace, which could have been a hat-trick, in the 4-0 win over Harrogate Town - his first league goals since his summer move from Bolton Wanderers and dedicated them to his injured team-mate who he now feels he must emulate to live up to expectations.

“Being injured is psychologically hard,” Collins said. “Unfortunately we’ve got Mendez out for a while now, and it won’t be easy. We’ll all get around him and help him. On that Saturday before the surgery, I told him I’d get a goal for him and I gave him a little celebration too. Now I’ve got to fill his boots.

“I had been back for a few games, coming off the bench I was biting at the bit to get into the starting line-up. Losing Mendez has been unfortunate and he’ll be a massive miss, but I have to step up now. He was doing well leading up to Christmas, and now I’m back, I’ve got to pick up where he left off and carry it on for the team.”

Barely being able to kick a ball for Dons in nearly four months at the club - a couple of cameos between his injuries aside - Collins admitted his first league goals since early April lifted a weight off his shoulders, and now he is ready to get even more in the coming months.

He continued: “Finally, it feels like a long time! Scoring two on Saturday gives me the little boost I needed, and I’ve got the feeling back. I’ve waited since last season to score, I’ve missed it. The feeling after I scored the first one, I’d missed it so much and I want that feeling more.

“It has been frustrating. It was only my second start because of those injuries, and we’ve played 21 league games. It was an important win to go into the Christmas period. It should have been a hat-trick, but I won’t kick myself for that!

“MK paid money for me, and I have to live up to expectations of being that goal-scorer and striker the fans expected. To get the goals and I hope I’ll get a lot more over Christmas.

“I want to get my first home goal. Getting them away, you celebrate in front of a few fans but there are obviously a lot more at home and that’s always a good feeling. This is where I want to score most of my goals.”