Bolton Wanderers Striker Kevin Davies Stays Upbeat After England Snub

Kevin Davies plays the game in a fairly uncomplicated way, the Bolton Wanderers striker being an 'up-and-down', straightforward example of the 'traditional English centre-forward', a target man who gives and takes the bumps and bruises uncomplainingly as he forces the ball into the net, usually with his head.

That approach has won him many admirers, and a fair few critics, over the years, but he has also netted 11 goals this season, an improvement in goalscoring form that he and many Bolton fans had hoped would earn him a call-up to Fabio Capello's England squad.

No such call was forthcoming, but the 32-year-old appears to have taken the news in the same way he meets a centre-back's tackle - he's stayed on his feet and got on with things.

"It’s just nice to be in his (Capello) thoughts and plans," he told The Bolton News.

"It’s something I’ve always felt I was going to do but it has never quite happened. Hopefully I’ll get the chance one day but if I don’t, I’ll just keep doing what I’m doing.

"It’s well documented that I’m near the top of the goalscoring charts, so all I have been concentrating on is scoring a few more before the end of the season.

"It’s nice to be up there but for me it’s about Bolton and trying to push away from where we are – within touching distance of the relegation zone. It’s great to see my name on the Sky Sports ticker – I haven’t done that for a few years – but I just want to push on now."

The Sheffield-born striker has also relished the opportunity to captain the Trotters on a full-time basis, following the departure of Kevin Nolan to Newcastle United during the January transfer window.

He concluded, "I had always enjoyed stepping in for Kev. I think I am at that age where I have got the respect of my team-mates and I’ll try and lead on the pitch rather than shout and bawl in the dressing room.

"I have enjoyed doing it and I’m at that age where I am ready for it, so it has been really good for me."

Zack Wilson, Goal.com