PLYMOUTH Albion lock Dan Collier is hoping he can shake off a shoulder injury in time to face Nottingham away in the Championship on Sunday.

Collier was handed only his second Albion league start — and his first at home — on Saturday against title favourites Worcester Warriors.

It was the first time the 25-year-old had secured a starting place on merit.

His only other league start for the club came in the final match of last season at Bedford when Tyler Hotson was suspended and Mike Lewis was injured.

But, unfortunately, Collier only lasted 45 minutes of Saturday's big game before having to go off with a nasty looking shoulder injury.

The injury, though, is not as bad as feared and Collier is desperate to be fit to try and keep his place in the team for this weekend's fixture at Meadow Lane.

"I just had a massive muscle spasm on my right shoulder," said Collier.

"I was a little bit worried at the time, but I just did not want to go to hospital.

"It was frustrating as I felt I was doing all right.

"I was glad with how I was playing and then the injury comes along.

"We were leading at the time and I did not want us to lose the lead. I was hearing the game from inside and it was gutting.

"But, hopefully, I will be back this week or the week after.

"I do really want to be fit for this week. I reckon I offered quite a bit of Saturday.

"And I definitely want to keep that up and try and keep my place in the team."

Londoner Collier, who joined Albion in the summer of 2009 from Manchester, says the team have to produce the level of performance they produced on Saturday against Worcester every week.

Albion, who had been beaten 51-3 in their opening match at Bedford, pushed the former Premiership club all the way before narrowly losing 26-19.

"We got off to a right flier," said Collier. "We were really pleased with that.

"All the boys were really buzzing in the changing room beforehand. We were all up for it and we all believed we could win the game.

"We need to be like that every game now."

Collier has been pleased with his progress at Albion.

When he joined the club he was fourth choice behind Tom Skelding, Hotson and Lewis.

He was even loaned out to Bridgwater at the start of last season.

But after Christmas he started forcing his way into Albon's match day squad and he has continued to push harder and harder since.

Collier has also had a good pre-season.

"I am definitely a lot fitter, a lot more healthy and I also feel a stronger as well, which is good," said Collier. "That is what Graham (Dawe) wanted from me last year.

"And Saturday's game was definitely a benchmark for me and where I want to be."