Davies not ready to hang up his boots just yet
CURTIS WANTS TO PLAY ON, EVEN IF IT’S NOT WITH RAMS
CURTIS Davies says he wants to continue playing, whether at Derby County or elsewhere.
The 36-year-old is out of contract at Derby this summer.
He is currently working his way back to fitness from an Achilles tendon injury.
Davies suffered the injury in the goalless draw with Brentford in December and it ended his season.
He has kept himself busy during his period of rehabilitation by developing his media career but his focus remains on playing.
“One hundred per cent I want to play, I have not thought about hanging the boots up yet,” he said.
“The way I am, I judge myself on my body and the last game I played. My body in general, I felt good. My last (full) game I played against Millwall we had a really good game (1-0 win), against Brentford we were at 0-0 when I came off, so I was playing well.
“I was just unfortunate that the Achilles went and that was it. I probably trained about 500 days in a row before that but, unfortunately, my
Achilles went and that was it for my season.
“I back myself to come back strong and fit, and I want to keep playing at the highest level possible. If it’s not at Derby, then I’ll make sure I keep my options open and I’ll be doing my best to make sure I’m able to give a good account of myself at another football club.”
Derby find themselves in a relegation battle with two game to go in which to secure their Championship status for next season.
The club is also on the verge of a takeover by No Limits Sports Ltd.
On his contract situation at Derby, Davies said: “The division is one thing but its ownership. When you’re waiting to see who the owner is going to be regardless of the division, it’s hard for people to start handing out contracts.
“I’ll have a conversation with the manager (Wayne Rooney) directly regardless of divisions or takeovers, to find out where I stand within his plans.
“Ultimately, if a manager doesn’t want you, you’re going to have to look elsewhere anyway.
“I’m just working on getting fit and, hopefully, I can get myself tiptop and wherever I land in pre-season I’ll be ready to give it a good go.”
DAVID Marshall’s reaction to being dropped has been “excellent”, says Derby boss Wayne Rooney.
Marshall was left out of the team for the 2-1 home defeat by Birmingham City.
The experienced Scottish international made way for Kelle Roos.
Asked how Marshall has reacted, Rooney said: “He is disappointed, of course, he wants to play.
“Marshy is a big character for the lads in the dressing room and his reaction on the training pitch has been excellent.
“I know Marshy is fully committed to this club, fully committed to helping us stay in this league.
“I had a decision to make on playing him or Kelle, and I chose Kelle to play in the last game.
“It is always difficult when you leave a goalkeeper out, I know that but it was a decision you go with and I had to go with my instinct.”
Marshall has started 33 of Derby’s 44 League matches this season, Roos has started 11.