Davies keen to prove his point

KEVIN DAVIES is out to prove he can be far more than a one-dimensional target man.

At 33, Davies could become the oldest England debutant since 1950 when the Three Lions tackle Montenegro in their Euro 2012 qualifier on Tuesday.

The burly Bolton frontman has profited from a combination of injuries, Emile Heskey’s retirement and Andy Carroll’s loss of form to claim a place in Fabio Capello’s squad and trained for the first time at Arsenal’s London Colney complex yesteday morning.

To many, Davies’ selection does not represent the new dawn Capello insisted he was ushering in after this summer’s World Cup demise.

Yet the former Blackburn striker insists he has plenty to offer, way beyond handing out the hard knocks that have become his Premier League trademark.

“People label me one dimensional,” stated Davies.

“They just think a team can get the ball up to me and I will head it down.

“I play the game a certain way but I have always felt I can play with ball into my feet.”

Davies has already claimed he thought someone was winding him up when he took the call from FA HQ informing him to report for duty.

He had to switch over from Sky’s Ryder Cup coverage to be certain, before settling back to watch Colin Montgomerie’s men record their pulsating triumph with a sense of quiet satisfaction.

“You never give up,” he said. “At the back of your mind, you are always hopeful.

“I got a call on Friday to say I was in the long squad but I have had a few disappointments before so there were mixed emotions.

Davies insists it is purely coincidence that after eight years at Bolton, he is only now being recognised at the highest level since the arrival of Owen Coyle to the Reebok Stadium.

Coyle’s liking for passing football contrasts sharply with the reputation for robustness that Bolton have developed down the years.

But Davies feels in reality, there is not too much difference.

“Owen has never said he wants us to play in a certain way. What he wants is enthusiasm and determination,” he said. “At Bolton, it has never been our style to rough teams up a little bit, under any manager.

“We go out to try and win the game the best way we can. If anything, I think our players are a little bit too honest.”