I’ve learned my lesson –– Davies

CRAIG DAVIES . . . glad to be back in Athletic’s first team and determined to get among the goals.

ATHLETIC striker Craig Davies feels ready to hit top form again after his self-inflicted exile from the team.

A moment of madness against Rochdale cost Davies a three-match ban, but he is now firmly back in the fold as Athletic ride high at the top of League One.

The 22-year-old, who was last season’s top scorer with 14 goals in 41 appearances, saw red for an apparent head-butt in the Carling Cup first round.

Athletic threw the book at him – as well as receiving an automatic ban, he was fined, labelled “idiotic” by manager John Sheridan and withdrawn from international duty – but the Wales star is out to make amends.

Davies has started the last two games, and he said: “In a way the sending-off has taught me a lesson.

“Sometimes things can happen for a reason, and I’ve had time to think about it. I’ve been reflecting on a few things.

“It all happened in the heat of the moment, but even the most experienced of players can get sent off for a stupid incident.

“It was my first sending-off in the league or cup and I let down the fans, the other players and, most of all, myself.

“That was the worst feeling of all and I apologised for what I did, but obviously you try to learn from your mistakes.

“The club punished me and did what they felt I deserved, so I took it on the chin. There was no point moaning about it.

“These things happen, but I want to put it behind me now because I’m available for selection and hoping to do well.

“It’s nice being back in the team, and I’m working harder than ever to make sure I stay there.”

Davies – recently handed a contract extension to the summer of 2010 – was set to join the Wales squad for their friendly against Georgia when Athletic pulled him out for disciplinary reasons.

He went on: “Not being with Wales was disappointing and it dented my chances of playing in the World Cup games this week.

“Maybe that’s the reason I’m not involved against Azerbaijan and Russia, but hopefully my performances for Oldham will get me a call-up soon.

“I’m still lacking sharpness at the moment because I’ve missed a few games, but the most important thing is to do well for my club.

“I should be feeling 100-per-cent soon – hopefully right back to the way I felt this time last year – and my target is to play every week and score more goals than last season.

“Obviously we’ve made a great start, but it’s only five games and I think the next five are going to be vital.

“That’s the stage when people really start taking notice – if you are up there after about 10 games, you think you’ve got a chance.

“We’ve achieved nothing yet, and we should look at what happened to Leyton Orient last season when they did really well at the beginning but ended up nowhere.

“We’ve got new additions to the squad and lots of experience in the team, but nobody is taking things for granted.”