CAPTAIN Kevin Davies says he was hurt, shocked and surprised to be told his days at his beloved Wanderers were over.

The 36-year-old Whites stalwart was told yesterday his near 10-year-stay at the Reebok was at an end.

But he may still be rewarded for a decade of loyal service with a testimonial.

On his 36th birthday, the club released a statement in mid-afternoon announcing the decision not to offer a new deal to the skipper.

And, reacting to the news, Davies admitted it would be gut-wrenching to leave a club he had hoped to see out his playing days with and possibly even stay on in a coaching role.

He told Talksport: “It was a bit of a shock, and has not quite sunk in yet.

“It was hard to take, on my birthday of all days. I am a bit surprised because this is my home and has been for so long.

“I thought I would retire here and even start coaching.

“It hurts right now; it’s difficult to take for me and my family who love it in Bolton and are settled here.

“The club and manager have to make decisions and we had a couple of sit downs.

“I wanted to finish my career at Bolton but it isn’t to be.

“I am a big, strong man and will keep my head held high because of what I have done for Bolton.

“Nothing lasts forever but I have been so happy at Bolton and that is why I stayed so long.

“I have turned down moves because of that in the past.

“I could understand if I had not been involved this season but I have made 38 appearances.”

Davies is set for a new challenge in the summer and believes he still has a couple of years left in the game – possibly even back in the Premier League.

And he has admitted his exit may even happen in the next 24 hours with several clubs interested in a loan move.

The captain says it could happen if there was a permanent deal on offer at the end of any loan spell as he starts to look to an unlikely future away from the Reebok.

He added: “I feel I have a couple of years yet and know I can do it at this level, if not the Premier League still.

“There have been clubs intersted in a loan and that may happen but I am really only interested if there is an offer of a deal at the end of it.

“If that is there, I would take it. Ideally, I would stay up north because my family is settled here but you never know.”

If Davies stays until the end of his 10th season with the club, he says his contract falls five days short of being eligible for a testimonial.

He said: “It would be nice to have a testimonial to say thank you for what I have done at Bolton but I am not entitled to one and I was aware of that when I signed a new contract last year, that it would fall five days short.

“There was talk that the club may extend it by a week but the manager told me I wouldn’t be getting one.”

Fans reacted angrily to that news and even team-mate Marvin Sordell Tweeted: “Sad to hear that skip will be leaving us this summer. Hopefully he still gets the testimonial he deserves.”

But The Bolton News understands the club has not ruled out Davies getting a testimonial.

The criteria is believed to involve a written request from the player to the club who will then consider that request.