When Leif Davis steps out onto the field at Pride Park Stadium, he’ll be revisiting the scene of one of his career highlights to date.
A part of the Leeds United team that secured promotion to the Premier League in 2020, Davis’ career has been intertwined with Derby County.
Having suffered play-off defeat to the Rams in 2019, Davis and his Leeds teammates were celebrating securing a place in the top-flight on the pitch at Pride Park just 14 months later.
The full-back had previously made just his second senior appearance for the club against the Rams, in the midst of the infamous ‘Spygate’ saga – where a member of United’s coaching staff was found outside Derby’s training ground watching a session.
The incident sparked intense debate throughout English football, but Davis said he was undeterred by the off-the-field drama.
He told afcb.co.uk: “We just went into the game just thinking it was a normal game. At the end of the day, you don’t think about what’s gone on in the past, you just treat it like any other match.
“I’ve had a good experience at Derby. We’d become champions with Leeds before the game, and we had a good celebration on the pitch after.
“I’m sure the memories will come back when I get there!”
The 21-year-old has had to bide his time at Vitality Stadium following his summer arrival but he impressed on his home debut against Swansea City just before the international break, assisting Dominic Solanke’s second before being named MSP Capital Man of the Match.
Davis said: “I think I’m in a good position, I feel fit, I feel raring to go again. It was good to get the game in against Swansea, I needed it for myself, and it was good to get out with the team and get a great result. We’re just looking forward to the next one.
“With the lads doing so well, it was always going to be tough to get into team and Jordan [Zemura] has done so well. It’s a shame he’s picked up the injury but now it’s time for me to take up the opportunity and get going.”
The Newcastle-Upon-Tyne-born defender reserved special praise for the way Scott Parker and his coaching staff have kept him motivated while he was out of the team, the Cherries head coach placing great importance on those not in the line-up.
“The gaffer and his team have been extraordinary to be fair,” he continued.
“They’ve been pushing and pushing me to keep going, to show what I can do in training, even in gym sessions, just getting stronger and fitter which will help us on the pitch.
“They have been pushing me every day because they know my potential, so they’ve been working with me to get my full potential out.”
Deductions totalling 21 points have left Derby on minus-three points for the season, but Davis knows that Wayne Rooney’s side, who have only lost five times this campaign, will prove to be tough opponents.
He added: “Derby are a good team, they’ve got some good individual players and they work hard as a team. It’ll be a difficult game.
“Fair play to what they’ve done this season, they’ve stuck in at it. We’ve got to go into every game ready to take it with both hands and try to get another clean sheet.”
Sunday’s game with Derby has been selected for live television coverage. You can find out who your local broadcaster is here.
