Curtis Davies believes that likening himself to a pub-team player after his debut for Aston Villa provided him with the impetus that resulted in his call-up for Fabio Capello’s first England squad.
The Villa defender, who was named in the preliminary 30-man squad for Wednesday’s friendly against Switzerland, has broken into Martin O’Neill’s team only since Christmas, but he has swiftly located his best form after the searing self-criticism he subjected himself to after a home defeat by Leicester City in the Carling Cup in September.
The 22-year-old, still technically on a season’s loan from West Bromwich Albion, believes that he might have had no future at Villa Park if he had repeated the woeful form of his debut.
“I honestly believe that was the driving force that made me do so well,” the central defender said. “I knew that performance was unacceptable and that if I had another bad game, that might be the end for me. To get back into the team, play six games and be called into an England squad is crazy.”
Davies expects to be stood down tonight when Capello reduces his squad to 23 but believes there is no greater honour than international recognition. “If you don’t believe that, I don’t think you deserve to pull on an England shirt,” he said.