David Davis challenged to win back Wolves place

Wolves' forgotten man David Davis was today told he still has a Molineux future after being challenged to win his place back.

After breaking through in the Premier League relegation season, the 23-year-old homegrown midfielder made 32 appearances last season before damaging ankle ligaments at Bolton a year ago.

This season he started as a first choice and as the club's only natural ballwinner, was seen as the successor to Karl Henry.

But he slipped to the periphery behind Kevin McDonald, Jack Price, Dave Edwards and Lee Evans and hasn't started a game since the 1-0 win at Notts County on November 16, making just three substitute's appearances since.

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Head coach Kenny Jackett feels the Smethwick-born ballwinner's time can come again at Wolves however.

"He's done well in the Championship before and he played well against us (Millwall) last season," said Jackett.

"I've seen him do well in there and he could come back next season and do well.

"I feel open to it because he's got a very good character and work ethic.

"This has probably been the first setback he's had because generally he's done very well and people tell me he did very well in the Premier League when he played.

"So it's up to him to fight back but he has enough character to do that.

"The answer is down to what David thinks but I'm not closed on him fighting his way back into the team."

Jackett would be happy to recall Davis now even though he hasn't played a first-team game for nearly five months.

"If I needed him to step in right now, he'd do a very good job," said the boss.

"He's worked very hard and although the midfield is very well settled and a strength of ours, if he got into the team, he'd play very well.

"He has good experience and good power and I wouldn't hesitate to use him.

"Long-term, it's a case of how he reacts because he's come through very strongly from a very good youth policy here.

"He's got to keep his head down and keep battling and when he does get that chance, keep his place."

Jackett understands Davis's frustrations, however.

"He hasn't featured anywhere near as much as he'd have liked and I understand that," said the boss.

"But our midfield has been very strong in McDonald, Price, Edwards and Evans."