Stats show unsung Hull City hero Curtis Davies was unlucky not to earn an England call-up

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In an era devoid of old-school centre-backs, Curtis Davies is something of a throwback. And, as another England experiment fails, he may be what they need.

It’s an old argument, but that doesn’t make it any less relevant.

The accusation that England players are picked on reputation rather than form was given fresh life this summer as Roy Hodgson put each and every egg into Jack Wilshere’s battered basket, rather than viewing Premier League champion Danny Drinkwater, as one of the English game’s top 23 footballers. Go figure.

And, while successor Sam Allardyce, and thus Gareth Southgate, have taken tentative steps to redress the balance via Michail Antonio and Michael Keane (below), one of the league’s unsung heroes could find himself a little unfortunate to be reading from a different hymn sheet to his national bosses.

Curtis Davies, nominated for August’s Player of the Month award, has been nothing short of inspirational for Hull City so far, guiding a team in turmoil and shorn players and manager, two six points from their opening two league fixtures.

Three successive defeats may have followed, but that stat has certainly been skewed out of proportion. Hull played three of the league’s most feared forward lines in Arsenal, Liverpool and Chelsea, and twice had a man sent off before the interval.

Opta figures show how Davies beats Burnley centre-back Michael Keane, called in last-minute to replace Glen Johnson, hands down in almost every defensive department.

He averaging more tackles per game, interceptions, blocks, and aerial duels won.

There may be no ‘big club bias’ involved in calling-up a defender from that particular part of Lancashire, but Davies has been overlooked once too many.