After a move from Bolton to MK Dons, Aaron Collins was expected to excel in Sky Bet League Two, given his impressive performance in the 2024/25 season where he scored 19 goals and had five assists in 55 games. However, his debut was marred by an injury that kept him out for six to eight weeks. Collins suffered a broken shoulder in the first game of the season against Oldham on August 2. "I played on, thinking I'd just jarred it, but an x-ray confirmed the break," he explains.
This setback was frustrating, especially since he was eager to make a significant impact in the new season. Collins returned as a substitute in a 1-1 draw against Chesterfield on September 13 and scored in a subsequent match but then faced another setback with a hamstring injury that kept him out for two months. "It was mentally draining, but I got to understand how others feel when they're injured," he reflects. Upon his return, Collins marked his first league start with a double in a 4-0 win against Harrogate.
Despite facing another injury later in the season, an ankle ligament injury, Collins was determined to make up for lost time. With MK Dons on the verge of promotion, Collins is focused on contributing to the team's success. Having experienced promotion with Bristol Rovers in 2021/22, he knows the value of this achievement. "Being involved in a promotion, even with the injuries, is a feeling you cherish forever," he says.
Collins is now looking forward to the next season, hoping for less drama but cherishing the experiences of this one.