MARK Davies reckons he will be fit to face Preston North End tomorrow night – warning Wanderers’ local rivals: I’m ready to make a difference.
Plagued by injuries in the last few seasons, the mercurial midfielder sparked fears at the Macron last weekend when he failed to emerge for the second half of the 1-1 draw against Leeds United because of an Achilles injury.
But Davies believes he will be in contention for a starting spot at Deepdale, and feels confident that the worst of his fitness problems are now behind him.
“I feel good, I’ve got a chance Saturday,” he told The Bolton News. “Before, when I came back from injury, I’ve been thrown straight back in, but the medical staff and the gaffer have been good with me this season and it’s working, giving me a chance.
“I’m one of these players who’ll play with an injury and it’s been my downfall at times because I’ve pushed myself too hard, before I was ready.
“I’m pleased with my fitness now, just not the results.”
Only Ben Amos, Neil Danns and Liam Feeney have started more games in the Championship than Davies this season.
And the 27-year-old was given extra responsibility as skipper in Darren Pratley’s absence for a handful of his 12 appearances – emphasising his role as Wanderers’ longest-serving player.
“I enjoyed it – it felt good to lead the team,” said Davies.
“When I was at Wolves I captained quite a few teams at youth level so I knew what was expected, what you have to do.
“I’m getting on now. It’s flown by at Bolton.
“It’s made it all the more frustrating this last two or three years. Touch wood, that’s over and I can make a difference now.”
Wanderers go into tomorrow’s game bottom of the Championship and way off a play-off spot that Davies admits was his pre-season aim.
But the former Wolves star insists the squad will not remain in the bottom three for long.
“We just need to kick on,” said Davies – who was in action for the club at the Junior Whites Halloween party this week alongside Emile Heskey. “I still believe if we can get on a run, string some wins together, we could challenge for the play-offs. I honestly believe that.
“Out of all the games, I only really thought against Middlesbrough that they looked a different class. All the other games I thought we’ve been at the same level if not the better team.
“This league is tricky. We’ve got too much (to remain in the bottom three) and with the gaffer in charge we’ll be fine.
“There is a togetherness about the squad and the staff that won’t let that happen.”
More information on the Junior Whites can be found at bwfcjuniors.co.uk.
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