Source: Northern_Echo
Stoke's Davies wants Boro return
BOYHOOD Middlesbrough supporter Andrew Davies last night admitted it would be a dream come true if he secures a New Year move back to the Riverside Stadium.[LNB] Davies has spent the last fortnight training at Rockliffe Park after being granted permission by Stoke City, who he joined in the summer of 2008, to head back to the North-East in a bid to impress.[LNB] Having been omitted from Tony Pulis 25-man squad in the Premier League this season, Davies has found himself increasingly frustrated since returning from a three-match loan in League One with Walsall.[LNB] That spell finished at the end of October and those appearances remain his only three outings of the year, but he is convinced he has the fitness levels and ability to become an important member of a first team somewhere.[LNB] Given that he was brought up in Billingham as a Middlesbrough fan, where he graduated through the clubs Academy, he would prefer to seal a long-term switch back to Teesside.[LNB] He insists, though, that earning a free transfer from the Potters in January remains no closer than when he started training with Tony Mowbray's team earlier in the month.[LNB] "Nothing has been spoken about. All it is at this stage is that Stoke have been fantastic to let me come here. Middlesbrough have been fantastic in giving me the chance to train," he said.[LNB] "You never know what happens in football. Im a Middlesbrough boy and I cant hide the fact that I love this club.[LNB] "Its fantastic to be back with people like Mark Proctor, Steve Agnew, Dave Parnaby. Coaches who know me and know the player I am, and understand me as a person. Its nice to be among people like that.[LNB] "There has been interest in me from other clubs but I would love to come to Middlesbrough. They gave me the opportunity to become a professional footballer and I will never forget that. They have always been my club and always will be.[LNB] "I'm the happiest person in the world at the moment. I have missed my family, my friends. Its just nice to be back up here.[LNB] "I am training as hard as I can and trying to impress."[LNB] It was a call from Middlesbrough to Stoke that provided Davies with the opportunity to prove he is still capable of finding the level of performances that earned him a 1m switch to Southampton three years ago.[LNB] But after the move to Stoke ten months later he never really had a chance to shine at the Britannia Stadium, where he only went on to make four appearances despite making a full recovery from a first year of injury torment.[LNB] He was happy to be playing again when he joined Walsall, but with 18 months remaining on his contract at Stoke he is eager to finalise a move after being told he is free to leave.[LNB] "It's been a crazy couple of years. I havent been injured really, but Stoke are not in the reserve league anymore so I have not played much football," Davies said after meeting Boro fans at the clubs Nestle Golden Ticket Party yesterday.[LNB] "I have missed playing over the last couple of years. Im only 25 and I have a lot to give. I need to get my name back out there again. I need to get back on the football pitch again and we will see what happens. Whether that is here or somewhere else, whoever gets me will get a hungry player and a good player.[LNB] "I have been with Middlesbrough two weeks. I have not stopped smiling because the last two years have been hard for myself. Its just a dream come true to be back here training. We will see what happens."[LNB] Middlesbrough are not in a position to make any additions to their squad until they have reduced the wage bill or brought in some extra cash through the January sales.[LNB]
