Pub Player Tag Inspires Curtis

Feb 3 2008

Fulham V Aston Villa

VILLA ace Curtis Davies insists his self-imposed status as a "pub player" has driven himon to the fringes of Fabio Capello's first England squad.

The defender is listed in the pool for Wednesday's clash with Switzerland - but first faces Fulham today.

He'd feared being frozen out after flopping against Leicester in the Carling Cup. Davies said: "What I said after that game about being a pub player has been a driving force that has pushed me to do so well now."

Former Celt Shaun Maloney is back for Villa while FK Viking star Erik Nevland could make his Fulham debut.

Cottagers gaffer Roy Hodgson said: "When you are in a relegation fight and adrift there are no easy games."