Davies stays at the Lane for now

Last updated : 08 February 2005 By Alistair Murray


Davies: Everton bid rejected

Martin Jol gave Davies a first opportunity to shine when he reintroduced the Welshman to the side on Saturday. Davies was given the nod ahead of Dean Marney, after successfully completing 90 minutes of reserve team action in midweek. Pedro Mendes had to withdraw from the FA Cup fourth round tie at West Brom after he picked up an injury in training.

"Fitness takes time, and hopefully I can now get a few games under my belt, although physically I feel very good. I think I am about 85 per cent and nearly there. I've missed a lot of football in the last year and it is not going to come back straight away," Davies told the official site.

Davies, who was named in Wales manager John Toshack’s first squad, completed 165 minutes of competitive football in the space of four days.

"On Thursday and Friday he looked like the old Simon Davies again - not 100% fit but you can't expect that. I'm happy he's here because everyone has told me he used to be a terrific player," said Jol.

"We turned down a bid for Simon Davies. We always had in the back of our minds that even if nothing really happened in the transfer window, it would be like two new signings with Simon (and Sean Davis) both coming back. It was great to see Simon back at West Brom, and he knows we care about him here," added Frank Arnesen.

Davies did miss a good chance to confirm Tottenham’s place in the next round of the competition when he headed Defoe's cross wide from six yards late on. The England striker had earlier converted a penalty after West Brom defender Darren Purse brought him down. That had levelled the scores after Robert Earnshaw’s opener had put the home side in front. The replay will take place at White Hart Lane on the weekend of 12/13 February, with a home tie in the fifth round against Championship struggler’s Nottingham Forest awaiting the eventual winners.

Everton chief executive Keith Wyness admitted it was the Merseysiders who bid £4.5m a couple of days before Monday night’s transfer deadline. The Toffees had been monitoring the 25-year-old’s progress in recent weeks, before approaching Tottenham with a firm offer in an effort to take the player to Goodison Park.

Having managed to successfully hold onto all their big name players during the window, Tottenham now play twice in a week before the cup replay, starting at Bolton in the Premiership on Tuesday night.