Town's James Collins is 'distraught' by Cheltenham races incident
Manager Micky Mellon has hinted that striker James Collins' future at Shrewsbury Town will not be influenced by his drunken incident at Cheltenham races.
But the Town boss maintains that the player is "distraught."
Collins, who is on loan at Northampton, has been fined two weeks' wages – around £6,000 – after being pictured urinating into a glass before pouring it over a balcony.
Several Town fans have insisted on social media they do not want to see the 25-year-old, who was made captain by boss Mellon before being loaned out, wear a blue and amber shirt again.
Others, however, have dismissed it as high jinks.
Collins has a mural in his honour in the family stand at the Greenhous Meadow for scoring more goals at the new ground than any other player.
Asked if the former Town skipper has a future with the club, Mellon said: "That's nothing to do with that (incident) – that's for further down the line for us to decide.
"At this moment in time, he's at Northampton, and I expect he'll probably play tomorrow. Everyone makes mistakes – name me someone who hasn't? He'll pay for them."
Asked if Collins will pay in more than just the pocket, Mellon said: "He's made his statement and I believe the lad is distraught."
As to whether the incident will have any bearing on his future at the club, Mellon added: "The club and powers-that-be have dealt with it.
"I'm not making any further comment because it's been dealt with properly. I've got to back up what the club have done, I'm not trying to shy away from it.
"But I believe that was the right way to deal with it, so let's all learn our lessons and move on."
Mellon said Northampton will deal with Collins: "He's not my player so it's not my place – it will be dealt with by Chris Wilder (manager) at Northampton who, trust me, will do it properly."
