JAMIE Collins insists his midfield fight with Al Bangura is a good thing.

Collins, 27, who penned a contract extension this week until 2013/14, is relishing the battle with the former Premiership ace.

Bangura has been a standout performer during pre-season and has shown little signs of his injury-plagued career, which saw the Sierra Leone man go under the surgeon's knife twice last season.

Collins said: "As it is, myself and Bangers (Al Bangura) are probably competing for one spot in the team, but in certain games we will play together. But that competition is good, it keeps you on your toes and if you have two players for every position it's great for the team - so if one of you is not in form, hopefully the other person is."

Collins was a deadline day signing for Rovers in January 2012, when he arrived at the club from League Two side Aldershot Town - signing initially on an 18-month contract. He made 12 league appearances last season and bagged a brace against Kettering in his second game.

He added: "Obviously with two years of security you don't have to worry about where you are going to end up next season. It's a big relief off your mind and allows you to concentrate on playing as many games as you can and doing a job for team. "Our main goal is to get into the Football League, so we want to be in and around the play -offs this season.”