DANNY Collins has underlined his commitment to Sunderland by putting his international ambitions on hold in order to aid the Black Cats' push up the Premier League table.

Rather than travelling to Cyprus and San Marino for two meaningless European Championships qualifiers this month, Collins will remain on Wearside after asking to be omitted from John Toshack's 23-man Wales squad.

The defender has been told the door remains open if he wishes to make himself available for a recall, but having already withdrawn from two international squads in the past, it now seems inconceivable that Collins will add to his six Wales caps while Toshack remains in charge.

Having spent the best part of two years attempting to establish himself as a fixture in the Sunderland first team, the 27-year-old clearly regards his international exile as a price worth paying in order to further cement his place in the side.

"I spoke to John two days ago regarding the squad," said Collins, who has started the last three league games in Sunderland's troublesome left-back slot. "We had a few words and he said, 'We've got a couple of away games - how are you feeling?'

"I told him I was back in the team at Sunderland, I'd been quite pleased with my performances and I was happy to stay around here.

"He basically agreed and said, 'Do you want me to omit you from the squad?' I said, 'Yeah, I'd like to concentrate up here at the moment'.

"He said, 'Fine, but don't be afraid to pick up the phone if you feel you want to come back in and make yourself available again'. That's the situation, I'm happy with it and so was John."

Collins has enjoyed a volatile relationship with the Welsh management ever since he rowed with Toshack in the team hotel 18 months ago.

Angered at being overlooked in favour of the then 16-year-old Lewin Nyatanga, the defender was cast into the international wilderness for almost a year before he apologised and requested a second chance.

"The door isn't closed," insisted the full-back. "John told me he was ready to receive a call if I felt I was ready to come back in. If I feel the time is right, he'll consider putting me back into the squad."

But given Toshack's previous intransigence on player availability, it appears that one of Roy Keane's international headaches has been soothed for the foreseeable future.

The Sunderland boss still has plenty to concern him, of course, with his side due to travel to the Emirates Stadium on Sunday to face Premier League pace-setters Arsenal.

Collins, however, insists Sunderland are capable of upsetting the odds against Arsene Wenger's side.

"Arsenal deserve to be top of the league but, if we can put in a similar performance to the one we produced at (Manchester) United, I'm sure we can come away with something," he said.

Sunderland officials have distanced themselves from speculation linking the club with a possible loan move for David Beckham.