Collins impressed with new Cobblers strike partner Marquis

Marquis was only signed on Monday, with manager Chris Wilder bringing him in as a replacement for the injured Marc Richards who is out for four weeks with an Achilles injury.

The 23-year-old, who enjoyed a previous loan spell at Sixfields in 2014, trained with his new team-mates for the first time on Monday, and then started alongside Collins at Bootham Crescent.

It proved to be a good decision by Wilder, as both front men scored in the 2-1 victory, with Collins firing Sky Bet League Two leaders Cobblers ahead on 40 minutes and then setting up Marquis for the second six minutes into the second half.

Collins was impressed with his new attacking sidekick, and said after the team’s 10th league win in a row: “All credit to John.

“He’s come in, got his goal, worked really hard and done really well so I’m delighted for him.

“Since I’ve been here I’ve really enjoyed playing with Rico (Marc Richards).

“He’s a top, top player and a big miss for the side, but John’s come in against York and got what looks like being the most important goal, so I think you have to give credit to him for fitting in straight away.”

Collins’ goal was his fifth in eight appearances for the Cobblers, and came courtesy of a pinpoint right-wing cross from right-back Brendan Moloney, which is something the striker was very pleased about.

“It’s a great ball in from Brendan Moloney,” said Collins.

“I’m always shouting at him for not crossing the ball, but he put a cross in and luckily enough it came straight to me and I managed to guide it into the corner.”

The Cobblers follow up their midweek trip to York with another road trip to Hartlepool on Saturday.

It is a tough schedule for the Town players, who entertain AFC Wimbledon next Tuesday before another lengthy away trip to Carlisle the following weekend, but Collins says it won’t be a problem.

“When there’s Saturday-Tuesday games you tend not to train too much because you have recovery days during the week so that always helps,” he said.

“It’s about getting the adrenaline on the pitch and when you’re winning you always want to go onto the next one and win that which gets you through.

“It’s part and parcel of being a good side and it’s something you need to do.”