Davies ready to confront mentor in midfield

Mark Davies comes face to face with his mentor at Dundee - former Wolves midfielder Colin Cameron.

Davies was an Academy player when Cameron - set to make his Dundee debut against his old club - was strutting his stuff in the Molineux midfield.

And ‘Sparky’ admits the 35-year-old, who was paraded on the pitch at half-time of the midweek friendly against Aberdeen, has been one of the greatest influences on his career.

“I watched him from when I first came here at 15, and I always based my football on him,” said Davies.

“I always looked out for him because he’s my type of player. When he was here and I was just breaking through, I watched him and I used to try to copy the way he played.

“The thing I liked most about him was the way he arrived in little pockets of space and received the ball and turned.”

Davies revealed his education under Cameron wasn’t confined to a watching brief on the pitch either.

“He always played the ball forward as well if he could, and whenever I receive the ball, I always look forward too,” he said.

“He always used to pull me to one side and give me little tips to help me. ‘Mickey’ always told me to get on the ball and look forward, rather than go backwards.”

With 15 years between them, the pair may be at opposite ends of their careers.

But with over 20 full international caps, four promotions and over 100 goals in 500 League League appearances, Davies admits he would love to emulate the success Cameron has enjoyed.

“If I could have the career he’s had, I’d be more than happy with that,” he said.

“He’s a good footballer and plays as an attacking midfielder, so I used to try to learn from him. He was one who liked to push on from midfield, but if he was asked to ’sit’ he would do the job.”