This article is part of Football League World's 'Terrace Talk' series, which provides personal opinions from our FLW Fan Pundits regarding the latest breaking news, teams, players, managers, potential signings and more...

Championship side Hull City should jump at the chance to recruit Derby County centre-back Curtis Davies in the summer in either a playing or coaching capacity, according to FLW's Hull City fan pundit Ant Northgraves.

The 37-year-old is out of contract at Pride Park in the summer and although many clubs have already released their retained lists, the defender is still in limbo at his current side at this stage.

This is because preferred bidder Chris Kirchner hasn't been able to finalise a deal to take control of the Rams which would help to lift them out of administration.

 

 

Without this takeover, Wayne Rooney's side are unable to offer the veteran fresh terms at Pride Park, something that could be a real blow for the Manchester United legend after seeing him play a part in all 46 of his side's league games during the 2021/22 campaign.

And if he is forced to leave the East Midlands side, Hull City fan pundit Northgraves believes his side should take full advantage of that having been linked with him.

He said: "From a personal note, I think every single Hull City fan would take Curtis Davies back in a heartbeat.

"Obviously, you've got to question his age at the minute but given that he's just played every single minute of the season for Derby in a relegation season with a very young and experienced squad that have done very well, you can't begrudge of his current fitness levels and his ability.

"He's been one of Derby's best players so I would absolutely 100% take him back even on a more practical term because we've got a very young and inexperienced defence.

"Jacob Greaves, Sean McLoughlin, they're all very young so it would be nice to have a bit of experience back there which we asked for multiple times last season and never really got. In saying that, our defence has been great, it's scoring goals that's been the issue.

"Curtis Davies is kind of a cult hero here too. He had a spell with us before where he was with us in the Premier League and was one of our better players and stayed with us in the Championship before his contract expired and he left.

"It's one of them. It's like Tom Huddlestone potentially but I would imagine that if he came back, he would probably play a bit more of an active role in the team."It would also probably depend on the formation we're playing, whether or not we're sticking with three at the back.

"Even in terms of if he came on to the coaching staff, he'd be a great signing. The experience he could pass on to some of the younger lads in the squad like Jacob Greaves - and help improve their game and their aerial ability and decision making would be paramount to their development as defenders.

"I would 100% take him back, I think you'd find a lot of the fanbase would too. Some may say he's now too old but given the fact he's just had a great season with Derby, you would be silly to say no, wouldn't you?"

The Verdict:

As Northgraves has said, Davies has been one of the first names on the teamsheet for the Rams and has been fully fit for the entire season, so no one can question his fitness levels even at the age of 37.

Many defenders would be starting to come to the end of their careers now, certainly in the EFL anyway, so for the Derby defender to perform as he did is a great credit to his work rate and physical shape.

In the future, he would certainly be a good addition to the coaching staff as a real leader, but he has at least one or two more seasons left in the tank at this level and this is why it would be no surprise to see the Tigers finally move for him again.

He does seem loyal to the Rams' cause though and although that's a great attribute for him to have, it could prove to be detrimental in the East Yorkshire side's quest to recruit him because he is likely to be one of the first players to get a new contract if a takeover is finally sealed at Pride Park in the coming days or weeks.

If he does leave the East Midlands though, you would have to say Hull are in pole position to land him considering he previously enjoyed a productive spell at the MKM Stadium.