Adam Davies is looking forward to focusing on Barnsley for the next four months without an international break.
The Reds’ goalkeeper and captain has been called up three times by Wales this season, each time missing a League One match for his promotion-chasing club side. He was unable to return to play at Accrington Stanley last week when his fellow senior goalkeeper Jack Walton was injured, with Jordan Smith coming in on loan for one match and securing a 2-0 win.
Wales now do not play again until March, by which time Davies is hoping Barnsley will be closing on a return to the Championship. He told the Chronicle: “I have thought to myself that there is a big break now until the next internationals so I will keep my head down, work hard, try to play every game and get us as many points as possible. Hopefully, come the next international break near the end of the season, we will still be in amongst it.
“It was all-go last week. I flew back on the Wednesday from Albania (where Wales had a friendly) and I was back in training with Barnsley the next day.
“As soon I found out Jack was injured I texted John (Vaughan, the Barnsley goalkeeping coach). We asked the question of Wales but there were a couple of reasons why they wanted me to stay down there in Cardiff. Jordan came in and did really well so it all worked out.”
Davies, 26, has been a regular in Wales squads for several years but is yet to make his international debut. He said: “I don’t worry about it too much. I just train hard while I am there and when the opportunity comes, it comes and I will be happy to play for Wales.”
All of Davies’ 180 career appearances have been for Barnsley. He admits last season was the most difficult of his career as he struggled for his best form and was dropped twice while Barnsley were on their way to relegation. The club have not as yet offered him an extension to his contract which expires at the end of this season despite his excellent form which has seen him keep eight clean sheets in 18 matches.
He said: “I am really happy. “I feel like I am performing well. I just want to keep that going and get better every day.”
Davies has conceded just four goals in his nine matches at Oakwell, where the Reds have not lost in 16 games since March. He said: “We want to make Oakwell a fortress and, with the results we are getting, we are doing that. You want to pick up as many points as you can at home.”
