CRAIG Davies insisted there has been no breakdown in his relationship with Dougie Freedman as he made his playing return against Cardiff in the cup.

The Wales international admits he has grown frustrated during a four-month spell on the sidelines – caused primarily by a string of niggling injuries. But after he started his first game since August, the Wanderers striker said he was now hoping to kick-start his career at the Reebok – even if that means spending some time out on loan to get match sharp.

“People don’t know the full story about what has happened and so they start to speculate,” Davies told The Bolton News. “I have been injured for a long period of time so if the manager feels it is best for me to go on loan and get a couple of games under my belt, then so be it.

“If not, I am going to stay and fight for my place. Everyone knows I am a fighter and I am not done yet. I am going to keep on grafting because I still have another year and a half left on my contract. I am going to graft as hard as I can for as long as I can.

“I have had people come up to me saying me and the manager have fallen out, but that's nothing of the sort.

“I get on with the gaffer and I respect him a lot.”

Davies hopes he can shrug off his injury problems and make a go of his time at Bolton because he has done it before.

Shortly after arriving at his former club Barnsley the Burton-born front man spent some time on the sidelines but recovered to gain the kind of form that prompted Freedman to make his move in the transfer market nearly a year ago.

“It was a similar situation because I was injured and out for two months,” Davies reflected. “Then I came back and made a real impact - I was probably one of the best players there and one that everyone looked at.

“Hopefully, I can do the same here. I don't see why not. If you put your mind to it and work hard you are capable of doing anything.

“I want to stay here and I want to play. But it is whatever the manager thinks best. If that means I stay and I play I will give 100 per cent for the club. There is never any doubt in that. But I need to stay injury free first.”