Curtis’ high hopes for partnership with Jags
CURTIS Davies is confident his Derby County central defensive partnership with Phil Jagielka will go from strength to strength.
Both joined the Rams as free agents this summer, Davies on a one-year deal and Jagielka on a contract until January.
There is a combined age of 75 between them and more than 1,000 matches.
“It’s been brilliant,” Davies told Ramstv. “Throughout pre-season we were getting the makings of a partnership together.
“Jags has been there and done it. He has played for many years in the Premier League and played numerous times for England.
“He is a very decorated player and has had a great career but he hasn’t come here to wind down.
“He is 39 but he’s still hungry. He is similar to myself, I’m a few years younger but I’m not here to make up the numbers.
“I want to play and do my best for the team and I want to progress this football club.
“I’m glad that he’s on the same page and as much as people might say about the legs in our partnership, I think when you have an extra couple of yards in your head then that’s what has given us that extra inch at the moment.
“We have played against each other a lot and came around in the same era of football.
“But when he came in, it was as though I knew him already.
“He is a good guy, good for the dressing room, not only in his experience but his character and the way that he is with everyone, and he has added a lot to the group.”
LEE Buchanan is expected to step in for Craig Forsyth when Derby County return to Championship action after the international break.
Forsyth has been handed a three-match ban following a challenge on Nottingham Forest’s Philip Zinckernagel in Saturday’s 1-1 draw at Pride Park Stadium.
The left-back went unpunished by referee Tim Robinson at the time but has now been suspended after the Football Association took retrospective action.
Forsyth, who has started six of the seven matches this season, will miss the fixtures against Birmingham City, West Bromwich Albion and Stoke City.
Buchanan has been working his way back from a thigh injury that ruled him out of the opening three matches. The 20-year-old started in the win away against Hull City and he has appeared as a substitute in each of the last three games.
Striker Sam Baldock is expected to be available for the Rams’ next game, against Birmingham City at St Andrew’s on Friday, September 10. Baldock sat out the Carabao Cup tie against Sheffield United and the Championship clash with Forest due to a hamstring problem.