WHATEVER the future may hold at Valley Parade, Andrew Davies wants to be part of it.
The defensive warrior is the biggest name on the out-of-contract list waiting to find out what happens next.
As Phil Parkinson admitted yesterday, those discussions must remain on ice until there is a verdict on the takeover talks with Gianni Paladini.
Parkinson is taking a relaxed stance because he can do nothing else. Davies feels the same but there is no doubting his passion to extend a three-and-a-half year City career.
“Nothing’s been said (about the contract),” admitted Davies. “I’m just keeping my head down and enjoying playing.
“But I’ve never said I want to leave here. I know what the club and the manager have done for me.
“He knows my feelings on the situation. I do want to stay.
“I really believe the next three or four years are going to be my best and I want them to be here.”
Davies has returned from his latest absence with two typically strong displays in the heart of the back four. That just adds to the frustration over the number of games he has sat out.
He has missed 22 through injury – but will still finish with more starts than any of his previous seasons at the club.
Davies added: “It’s frustrating but I look at this year as a positive one. I’ve played over 30 games and had the odd little niggle here and there that you get over a season.
“I missed a lot of games at the start with the broken arm but that was a real freak incident.
“I had the problem with my arm recently and didn’t really train a lot when I came back. They wanted to get me in the team, which is great, but you always run that little bit of a risk when you’ve only trained for a couple of days.
“But it was another one when I knew I was going to come back. Everyone had written me off for the season but it’s a good job I’m a quick healer and it’s nice to be back playing.
“I’m not getting any younger but I’m only 30 and if I can get through these remaining games, I’ll have played the most since I’ve been here.
“Fingers crossed I can get through the rest and then see what happens. It’s going to be a big summer.”
Parkinson had deliberately kept news on Paladini’s interest away from the dressing room until it became public knowledge.
Davies confirmed they had known nothing about it and insisted he was avoiding any rumours on the subject until the dust settles.
He said: “We’ve only just found out since it came out in the press. The lads are just focused on the games coming up but it does add a bit of uncertainty.
“We hear something is going on but it doesn’t affect you. You just get on with doing your own job.
“I don’t read the websites or listen to stuff because nobody knows what’s going to happen. The important thing is we all stick together as a staff, the players and fans and not let anything disrupt what we’re trying to achieve.
“That’s how it’s always been since I’ve been here and it’s going to be the same case over the next few weeks.”
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