Grateful Port Vale defender Davis hopes to extend his Hatters stay

Happy Hatters defender Joe Davis has admitted he would love to extend his loan stay at Kenilworth Road when his initial deal runs out, writes Mark Wood.
Alfreton v ltfcAlfreton v ltfc
Alfreton v ltfc

He along with Brentford defender Alfie Mawson and West Ham United midfielder Pelly Ruddock Mpanzu were signed on loan until January as defensive cover.

All have played important roles with young defender Alex Lacey out with a cracked metatarsal and Southport summer signing Andy Parry recovering from a hernia operation.

And Davis is keen to extend his stay and fight for a place at the back after being given his opportunity by Town chief John Still.

He said: “I understand they’ll probably be coming back shortly, I don’t know how far off they are but it’s just up to me to keep my place in the team, keep performing on the pitch and doing all right in training and keep going and we’ll see what happens come the end of it, but I’d love to stay if I could.

“They’ve given me the opportunity to play games and that’s what I’ve not had this season at Port Vale

“That’s what I’ve come here to do to play games and thankfully John’s given me the opportunity and I’m just looking to do it for him and the lads around, because it’s a fantastic club.

“We all know where we want to be come the end of the season and this is an important period for us if we want to go up then we’re going to have to win some of these games and get a good run going and I think we can do that.”

No discussions have yet taken place, as Davis continued: “Not yet, but I’m sure he’ll speak to me soon.

“But no matter what happens I’ve loved it so far, even if I don’t stay on I’ve got nothing but good things to say about Luton.”

And he’s hopeful of holding on to his shirt when Lacey and Parry return.

Speaking after Saturday’s 4-2 win over Gateshead, he continued: “Once you get your opportunity I think you’ve got to stay in and that’s what I’m aiming to do.

“Hopefully I’ve done enough today to get in the gaffer’s head and give him a little problem for the next game and hopefully I can get the shout again to start.

“I’m grateful for that and if I get the opportunity to stay then no-one’s saying no because he’s given me the opportunity to go out and play and that’s what I want to do.”

Davis admitted the set-up at Kenilworth Road is similar to Valiants’ in League One, but is delighted the Hatters are committed to giving youth a chance.

He added: “It’s similar to Port Vale in the way it’s run. They like to give youth a chance here and I’ve got a lot of time for that.

“It’s something that the gaffer believes in and all the lads rally round. It’s got a good mix of youth and experience and I think that’s important for a team that’s challenging at the top.

“I think it can only help. I’m still young, the Conference there’s some good teams in it, I’m not ashamed to be playing in this league, it’s a good challenge for me and if I can do all right here it will only stand me in good stead.”