Davies Transfer Still On

Tony Mowbray has said he doesn’t believe that Curtis Davies’ achilles injury will affect the planned transfer at the end of the season.

The Albion manager was speaking to BBC WM and insisted the deal will go a head as planned.

‘Curtis becomes an Aston Villa player at the end of his loan and I’m sure an injury isn’t going to curtail the deal.

‘Villa see him as a big part of their future and I don’t see any problems.

‘Unfortunately injuries are part-and-parcel of football but if anyone has the personality and character to overcome a bad injury, it’s Curtis.’

Considering his own troubles with Davies, and the unfortunate events that surrounded his transfer, Mowbray continued:

‘He’s a very focussed and driven individual and we wish him well.

‘Hopefully Albion will be in the same division next season and we’ll be competing against him.’

Of course the injury to Davies gives Zat Knight another chance, ironically, it was Davies who replaced and then kept the position from Knight earlier this season.

Speaking to the press, Knight said of the injury and his obvious chance now:

‘I feel for Curtis as I would for anyone on my side suffering an injury like that. I wish him a speedy recovery.

‘It shows the quality in our team that Curtis came in and has done so well and he got rewarded with an England call.

‘I have missed nine games since I went out of the side with the suspension and obviously that has been frustrating because I am used to playing week-in and week-out.’

Knight admits his frustration at being out of the team but he seems to have the right mindset and realises that had his own form have been good enough, Davies wouldn’t have been given such a long run. He also knows it’s his chance to repay the favour and make himself as automatic for that position as Martin Laursen is.

‘It has been very frustrating not playing, but that’s football. You get highs and lows and that’s why everyone loves it so much.

‘Now the goal for me now is to get a starting place against Middlesbrough in nine days’ time and I think I put in a good enough performance at Arsenal.

‘But I cannot take anything for granted. I have to continue to put in 110% in training.

‘The manager has spoken to me several times and has told me to keep plugging away because my chance would come. I have worked hard and now I have got the chance again and hopefully I can grab it with two hands.’

Curtis Davies, obviously, hasn’t said too much since the injury but now he has undergone surgery he has made a few short comments to the press:

‘The operation went ahead on Saturday evening and the surgeon said it went very well. Obviously there’s a little bit of soreness there now and I’ll just have to rest it up and let everything settle down.’

It’s a desperate blow for Villa given his form, and if Knight cannot stake a proper claim no doubt it won’t take long before fans question the sale of Gary Cahill again.