Comeback trail Davis in line to start for Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland captain and Rangers midfielder Steven Davis is looking to take another step towards full fitness when Ian Baraclough’s side face Hungary in a friendly at Windsor Park this evening.
Davis is in line to start the match after coming off the bench to score his 13th international goal in Friday’s 3-1 win over Luxembourg, clocking just under half an hour in only his fourth appearance for club or country since December 1.
“It was really nice to get on the pitch and build up fitness,” Davis said. “It's been a good week for me so far, hopefully I can get some more minutes tomorrow and take another step in the right direction.”
Davis has been limited at Ibrox since Giovanni van Bronckhorst replaced Steven Gerrard in November, hit by niggling injuries which have seen him come in and out of the squad but play only five league minutes – a late substitute appearance in last month’s 5-0 win over Hearts – in almost four months.
“It’s always frustrating,” the 37-year-old said. “I’ve missed out on some big games and just when I felt I was getting myself back to a good position I’ve picked up another injury. It’s part and parcel of football.
“The good thing is they’ve been minor injuries but it’s been two consecutively on the bounce.”
With his Rangers contract up in the summer, Davis knows there are a crucial few months ahead. Baraclough may get fed up of questions about his captain’s future – an irritation he voiced again yesterday – but both he and Davis recognise that the midfielder’s club situation will be critical to how long he has left as a Northern Ireland player.
“I’ve not really thought about too much beyond the end of this season,” Davis added. “It’s the same situation I’ve been in these last couple of years in terms of contract talks only coming to fruition at this kind of stage.”
A return in midfield for Davis will be one of a number of changes Baraclough is expected to make this evening, having reflected on a victory which came despite a ‘mixed bag’ of a performance in Luxembourg, where Northern Ireland started and finished brightly but allowed the hosts to dominate possession.