Exclusive – Brown: ‘Davies deserves England chance’

Former Bolton manager Phil Brown has backed Kevin Davies' shock England call-up.

The 33-year-old Reebok striker was the surprise name in Fabio Capello's squad to face Montenegro next week, and Brown insists he full deserves his belated opportunity to shine for the Three Lions.

He told the Alan Brazil Sports Breakfast: "Kevin's been around for a long time and everyone thought his opportunity had come and gone, but he fully deserves his chance.

"There's no better player of his type in the Premier League.

"He’s not prolific, he never has been, but he’s great if you want someone to feed off. Darren Bent runs the line on his own for Sunderland and maybe him and Davies up front might turn into a prolific strikefroce. You never know.

"Kevin's a combative type of person and it wouldn’t surprise me if he gets more yellow cards than goals by the end of the season. 

"He doesn’t turn into a master on the field but centre halves know they will be in for a rough time. And they set their stall out to combat that. Kevin expects that, but he also enjoys it. If you come off with a few cuts and bruises, that’s the way to play football."