Davies wanted to make sure Rams in the clear for his cameo role
DEFENDER SIGNED WAIVER TO FACE OWLS AND BACKS ROONEY TO GET DERBY ON TRACK
DERBY County defender Curtis Davies signed a waiver ahead of his surprise appearance in the Rams’ relegation decider against Sheffield Wednesday.
The centre-back had been ruled out for the rest of the season after suffering a ruptured Achilles tendon in December.
But Davies was named on the bench for Saturday’s game at Pride Park and came on in the final stages as the Rams secured the point which proved to be enough to keep them in the Championship as Rotherham United conceded a late equaliser at Cardiff City.
Davies has revealed his late cameo was against medical advice but that it was his decision.
“I ended up signing a waiver to make sure nobody within the club would get into trouble if anything went wrong,” he told The Athletic.
“It was me saying it was my decision and by no means had I been given medical clearance. I didn’t want there to be anything on their back if the worst happened.
“They couldn’t clear me to say I was fit to play a game. But they believed in my character and the role I’d have to play off the bench. I think they’d have pushed back a bit harder if I was a young lad.
“I’d spoken with my wife as well. Morally, I couldn’t not do it. It almost became a selfish thing from my end.
“I was physically able to give 10 or 15 minutes to the team and that became everything for me. She knows me well enough to trust my judgment.”
Davies called for some muchneeded stability at the Rams as he backed Wayne Rooney to take the club forward.
He says it is important the club builds for the future with Rooney at the helm.
“As a club, we just need stability, whoever is going to take the club forward,” he told Talksport.
“There’s a potential takeover going on and the sooner that is done the better because it will settle everyone around the club.
“We’ve had Covid and near relegation that nearly cost people jobs. If the club is taken over, we can start building the club forward, Wayne can start developing the squad he wants.
“Wayne came in for a lot of criticism towards the end of the season but he was dealing with what he had.
“Next season, it’s going to be his baby as such and he’s going to be able to put his own stamp on it from day one. That’s where we’ll see what qualities he’s got.”
Davies admitted watching from the bench on Saturday was a “horrible” experience.
At one stage, the centre-back thought he would be coming on as a striker as Derby chased the victory they thought they needed at one stage.
“It was easier in the 10-15 minutes I went on the pitch, to be honest,” he said.
“But sitting on the sidelines and hearing the pundits and the commentators shouting Rotherham had just scored, you know that goes straight on to the pitch because there is no crowd to drown them out.
“I had to make sure I got a good warm-up so I said to myself ‘I’m going out at 65 minutes and I’m staying out regardless.’
“I didn’t know if I was coming on as a striker or a centre-half. At one point I was getting ready to come on to just cause havoc and try and win some headers up front.
“In the end, I could actually play my position and do what I know best.”