Davies backs Sagbo to sharpen Tigers’ claws

The ex-Evian striker, who signed a two-year-deal with the Tigers in July in a £1.6m deal, made his first goalscoring contribution for the club with an emphatic finish in the first half of Saturday’s 2-1 loss at Everton.

Davies admitted to being impressed by the performance of the Ivory Coast international who is set to shoulder much of the 
attacking burden in the absence of the man he replaced at the weekend, Danny Graham, who will be out for two to three weeks.

The loan striker was stretchered off with a knee injury early on following a high challenge from Gareth Barry, with scan results revealing severe bone bruising, but thankfully no serious damage.

He could return for the game at Southampton on November 9.

On the display of Sagbo, determined to provide some payback for Hull fans after his sending-off on his home bow against Norwich in August, which led to him serving a three-match ban, Davies said: “He’s an ox, I call him ‘Le Boeuf’.

“Other than in pre-season, people haven’t really seen a lot of him, but we know he’s got quality.

“He’s a targetman, but he’s also got an incredible touch. He can link the play and get in behind.

“He’s an exciting prospect and even more so because people don’t really know a lot about him. That can be in our favour.

“It will take time to adapt fully, mainly because he hasn’t played the games, but I believe he’s ready.

“He managed to get himself a goal at Everton and played well. The more he plays, the better he’ll become.

“He might get a run of games now and I’m sure he’ll want to show what we’ve been missing.”

The Tigers’ defeat at Everton was their first reverse in five top-flight matches, with the second part of an arduous away double-header in the Premier League coming at Spurs on Sunday.

Davies acknowledges Hull will have to be at their very best to take something from White Hart Lane when they pit their wits against hosts who spent £103m in the summer transfer window and also possess football’s man-of-the-moment in their ranks in ex-Leeds United loanee Andros Townsend.

Davies added: “It’s always tough going to Spurs, no matter where they are in the league.

They’ve got top quality players. They’ve got 20 or 22 players in their squad and they are all internationals.

“You only have to look at players like Andros Townsend and the impact he’s made. It’s strength in depth across the board.”