Michael Collins could be forgiven for getting a little bit nostalgic at Oldham's Boundary Park on Sunday.

This weekend's trip to Lancashire will see the talented midfielder come up against a few former teammates in Andy Holdsworth, Pawel Abbott and Keigan Parker for the first time since they made their respective moves to the Latics but he has stated that once the game kicks off, any player in an Oldham kit is classed as the enemy.

"I've been firing off a fair few texts this week!" he joked. "Although I'm gutted that Worthy (Jon Worthington) is injured, it's probably a good thing for me that he isn't playing because he can't half tackle and I'm sure he would of lined me up on a couple of occasions!

"When we step over that white line on Sunday, for 90 minutes we are going to be enemies and we are up against each other fighting for three points. As soon as that whistle blows we are fully focused on pulling for the team regardless of who you are up against.

"Facing former players always brings an extra spark to a match, but in the past we only come across maybe one or two players; to be coming up against three or four players is going to be a new experience for everyone and it's something that we are all looking forward to."

Collins, who came through the Town Academy, knows how much winning derbies means to the players and the fans and is expecting the clash between the two promotion chasing teams to be a passionate affair.

"I can see it being a fiery encounter, especially with it being a local derby, and I think we will take a fair few fans so it's going to be very interesting. It's going to be important that we weather the storm because I'm sure their manager will have them fired up, especially at home, and it's up to us to counter act that. I would like to think that we have a little bit more quality football wise that will shine through."

The midfielder has been given a good run in the starting eleven in recent weeks and wants to head back to Yorkshire this weekend with all three points.

"It's been a bit of a stop-start season for me so far, until the last four or five games, and it's just pleasing to be back in and contributing to some very good performances that the team have managed to put in over the last couple of weeks," the 23-year old admitted.

"In football it's a good thing to have such strong competition for places because it keeps that little element of doubt in your mind. You know that if you are not doing the business, then you're not going to have your shirt the next week.

"There are times in the game where you just have to up your work rate that little bit more which is something you might not do if you thought you were comfortable for the week after."

With Town's home form being so good, Collins is hoping that once his team get their second away victory of the season under their belt the results will continue to come and push the Terriers towards the summit of League One.

"If we can start picking up results on the road we are going to be in a very strong position come January time, because the home form is really good.

"The manager has identified how important the fixtures coming up are over the next month or so and its vital that we do have a good points tally on the board running in to the Christmas period because that's when, in this division, the shakeup is made as to who makes the promotion push.

"After that, you only get one or two teams who sneak their way back in to the promotion race so it kind of decides itself. It's vital that by Christmas time we are in a strong position and we will have to start improving out away form, starting this Sunday against Oldham."

Collins also declared that the current squad is the best he has seen during his time at the Club.

"It's the strongest squad that we have had since I have been here. I said at the start of the season that if we fail to gain promotion, then it won't be down to the manager - it will be down to the players, because with the ability we have got and the sort of players we have got. It is refreshing to see the types of clubs that are being linked with our players now.

"However, it's just important that we all keep pulling in the right direction and make sure we stay focused on what our aim is and not get distracted about what other people are saying about how good the team is. As long as we get promoted then everyone will be happy."

Get your ticket for Town's FA Cup clash with Dagenham - call the Ticket Office on 0870 44 44 552!