NEILL Collins may have suffered some misfortune in midweek but there's no doubting the impact he's had on Hartlepool United.

The big defender is on loan at Pool from Sunderland and will be part of a defence aiming to make it three consecutive clean sheets when Martin Scott's side face Nottingham Forest at the City Ground.

Collins scored an own goal in Scotland Under-21s' 3-0 defeat in Slovenia on Tuesday as the Scots' disappointing European Championship qualifying campaign ended.

But Scott is sure Collins can only benefit from being part of the Tartan Army.

"Playing for his country is a very good experience for him,'' said Scott. "I think the own goal was a bit unfortunate, he deflected a shot.

"Neill is enjoying his football with us and getting better and better by the game. He played very well against Rotherham and carried it on at Bristol.

"Ian Evans (Sunderland assistant manager) was at the Rotherham game to watch him and they know he is playing well.

"We've got him on a half-season loan, that's the arrangement, and I speak to Mick McCarthy every week about him, to update him on what is going on.

"The good thing is that he was desperate to come here when we wanted him and he couldn't be happier.

"He is representing his country and that can only benefit him.

"This run of games is the longest he's had since playing for Dunfermline and this is a much higher standard.

"I don't think it's any coincidence that we've got the fourth best defensive record in the league on current form. We have had back-to-back clean sheets and I take pride in that - as a defender and a manager you can't ask for any more.

"In a way it gives us a taste of what the bigger clubs have to put up with by working in training during an international week.

"OK, so it was only one player, but that can make a difference.

"What it allowed me to do was have a look at situations where others can play there - the time will come when other players will have to come in.

"Micky Nelson is on four bookings but I know we have Carl Jones, Darren Williams, Ben Clark and Mark Tinkler as options.

Last time Pool and Gary Megson crossed swords the then West Bromwich Albion boss counted himself fortunate to escape with a win.

Pool met WBA at Victoria Park in the Carling Cup almost two years ago.

Megson went home victorious after Pool defender Chris Westwood was red-carded by referee Phil Prosser, who takes charge of today's fixture.

Today, with Megson in charge of Forest, Pool meet the former European Cup winners in a Football League game for the first time.

Forest's start to the season has been steady, if unspectacular. They are in 11th spot, seven places above Pool with three points more.

Last week's defeat was their first in six and Pool boss Martin Scott said: "They lost at Southend last weekend but have picked up some good results before then. I've watched that game and it was very close.

"It's a big club, a big stadium and they have big support, but we have done our homework and know all about them.

"Last time we came up against Gary Megson was when he was manager of West Brom a couple of seasons ago.

"We gave them a big test that night and were very unlucky but we have all moved on since then, both this club and Gary Megson. He knows we will give them a tough game.

"A lot of our players won't have played at the City Ground before and we are all looking forward to it.

"They are going through a lean spell at the moment as a club. But Gary Megson will have them fired up and he will be confident of turning them around.''

Pool's last outing came two weeks ago, when they won at Bristol City.

They played with just Jon Daly up front that day and formed a five-man midfield to keep things tight.

Scott explained: "We played 4-5-1 last time and it worked a treat. Now we've got an extra option with Tommy Butler available again and that is a big boost. He is a key player - he caused Rotherham all sorts of problems.

"We know we have to improve in the final third of the field as a team and start scoring more goals.

"Keeping a clean sheet at Bristol City was a real positive for us and we know it is about keeping it tight away from home. Tommy returning gives me a bit of a dilemma, but we will look at everything and make a final decision come Saturday.

"It's good for me as a manager to have a player like Tommy Butler available again - it's a great option to have.''

Megson admitted: "They went 4-5-1 at Bristol City in the knowledge that, if they could keep things tight, they might nick something, and that was how it turned out.

"I would not be surprised if they did the same thing here."

Clough tribute

A COLLECTION takes place at the City Ground today to raise funds for the Brian Clough statue fund.

Clough, who died in September last year, started his managerial career at Pool 40 years ago this month.

The target is £60,000, which will be enough to erect a Clough statue in a prominent location in Nottingham city centre. Around £13,000 has been raised so far.

Chairman of the Brian Clough Statue Fund, Paul Ellis, said: "We hope supporters will dig deep and show just what Brian Clough meant to them. It's very fitting that this collection should be held before the game against Hartlepool, where Cloughie started his outstanding managerial career.''

A limited-edition badge, in the shape of Cloughie's famous green sweatshirt, are also on sale, priced £2.

Read more about Hartlepool here.