Monday, October 4, 2010

Davies backed to star for England

Kevin Davies
Davies has scored twice in seven Premier League games this term

Bolton manager Owen Coyle has tipped Kevin Davies to prove himself more than just a stop-gap following the striker's England call-up to face Montenegro.

Davies could be in line to make his international debut at the age of 33 in the Euro 2010 qualifier on 12 October.

His inclusion owes much to the absence of injured Jermain Defoe and Bobby Zamora but Coyle said: "He'll be a terrific addition to the squad.

"He has had a tremendous career and shown his qualities year after year."

Davies was capped at under-21 level by England more than 10 years ago, but had all but given up hope of ever making the breakthrough at senior level.

The striker even revealed he thought it was a joke when he received news of his call-up, refusing to believe it until he received official confirmation an hour before Monday's announcement.

"We've known since late Thursday/Friday that he was in the long squad but such was his and my focus we kept it to ourselves to concentrate on the game at West Brom," added Coyle.

"For that call-up to finally come, he just wanted to make sure it was confirmed."

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Davies joins fellow strikers Wayne Rooney, Darren Bent and Peter Crouch in coach Fabio Capello's squad to face Montenegro at Wembley next Tuesday.

And Coyle believes the striker's adaptability could make him a key weapon for England not just in that match, but throughout their qualifying campaign and Euro 2012 itself.

Davies might not have the finest goalscoring record, but he created 81 scoring chances last season, the highest number by any striker in the Premier League.

"To get that call-up for his country, which I know means an awful lot to him, has been earned through the quality of his play and we are absolutely thrilled for him," said Coyle.

"No-one has given it him easy, he has had to work his socks off against some terrific centre-backs in the best league in the world.

"One thing we all ask in football is if you get an opportunity you have to go and grasp it and he has earned the opportunity.

"Whether you decide to play one, two or three up front Kevin has a tremendous role to play for anyone.

"As a former striker myself I would have loved to have played with that type of player who knocks things down into your path. If he is given the opportunity, he will be fantastic, no doubt about it."

Davies, too, believes he can make an impact when he joins up with the squad this week.

"Now I'm in the squad it's an opportunity to go down there and impress and show them what I'm all about and obviously I want to play a part in the game next week," he told BBC Radio 5 Live.

"I'm really excited about it and it's an opportunity I didn't think was going to come my way."

England are currently top of their Euro 2012 qualifying group G with two wins out of two, alongside Montenegro who also have a 100% record so far.

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