Davies back to play vital role
CURTIS Davies played an important cameo role to help Derby County over the finish line.
The 36-year-old defender came off the bench for the final eight minutes of normal time and six minutes of added time in the 3-3 draw against Sheffield Wednesday.
Derby twice came from behind to draw and a point was enough to save them from relegation on a dramatic final day as Rotherham United failed to win away against Cardiff City.
It meant Derby finished on 44 points, while Wycombe Wanderers (43), Rotherham (42) and Wednesday (41) drop into League One.
Davies ruptured his Achilles tendon during a goalless draw away against Brentford in December and was ruled out for the season.
However, he was named among the substitutes for Saturday’s final crucial fixture.
“He hasn’t trained, he is not fit,” Rooney said after the game when asked how good it was to have Davies back.
“I have done it myself when I was playing, when you are not fit, but he is a real example to the other players.
“When he came in on Saturday) I said to him ‘can you head the ball?’. He said ‘yes’.
“I felt in the last five or 10 minutes if we were chasing a goal or defending, he would be important, and he did well.
“He organised us a bit when he came on and headed a few balls out. I think he deserves a lot of praise for that.”
Davies revealed that he went against medical advice to do his bit for the Rams.
“When it came down to the last day I wouldn’t have been true to myself if I’d have gone against my thoughts, and I felt good,” said Davies, who faces an uncertain future due to being out of contract at the club he’s served for the last four seasons.
“And I had to go against medical advice to do it but it was something I was happy to do for my team, for my team-mates and the club.
“You know the thought of people losing their jobs and things like that if there had been relegation, I couldn’t have that on my back so I wanted to do what I could to help.
“And it might have only been a ‘no’ from Wayne straight away, ‘no, don’t be silly,’ but I am glad I managed to play a part in helping us stay in the league today.”
■■Claims that Rams could face points deduction next season – turn to Page 35