Curtis Davies hoping for '˜full-time' return to help Hull City's cause

Curtis Davies returned to first-team action with Hull City sooner than expected after a hamstring injury.

The 32-year-old was a surprise inclusion in the Tigers’ starting line-up for the 4-0 defeat at Everton in their last outing before the international break.

With the blank weekend now out of the way and the focus switching to back-to-back home games against West Ham United and Middlesbrough, Davies is hoping to retain his place and help Marco Silva’s men plot a path towards safety.

“I was delighted to be back,” said the defender about his return at Goodison Park after six games out with a hamstring injury.

“I hadn’t been expected to play so soon, but I was happy the manager brought me in.

“I felt comfortable after the first 15 minutes, when I needed to get my second wind. I felt good and wish I could have stayed on the pitch.

“Obviously, for tactical reasons, the manager decided to throw on a winger and I can totally understand that. But I hope I can play the next game and help keep the team in this league.”

Hull, thanks to their wretched goal difference, are effectively four points adrift of safety. With a trip to Manchester City on April 8 rounding off the first week back after the international break, those clashes with West Ham and fellow strugglers Boro must yield, at the very least, four points.

Tom Huddlestone will miss all three fixtures after failing to overturn his red card at Everton, after which Hull collapsed to concede three times in the final 11 minutes.

“It was never a 4-0 defeat,” added Davies. “At 2-0, we went a bit gung-ho and allowed them to score two more goals. We were a little bit aggrieved, but, at the same time, we should have done better.”