he never appeared in the top-flight for the "black cats" after alan stubbs was signed, and was instead loaned out to league one side hartlepool united in august 2005. he made 25 appearances for martin scott's "pools" during his stay at victoria park. he was loaned out to neil warnock's championship promotion hopefuls sheffield united in february 2006. the "blades" succeeded in winning promotion in 2005–06, though collins featured in just two games at bramall lane.