ON-LOAN defender Joe Davis believes he can improve as a centre-back under Sam Collins having watched the York City boss play when the former was a schoolboy.

Davis, who turned 25 on his Minstermen debut in Saturday’s 2-1 FA Cup first-round tie at Swindon, was on Port Vale’s academy books when Collins was the club’s back-line sentinel from 2002 to 2006.

After making 52 appearances during two separate spells for Vale spanning a six-season period, Davis has fallen out of favour this term at the Burslem club, but feels Collins could be the right person to get his career back on track.

“I was nine, 10 and 11 when he was in and around the first team at Vale,” Davis said of his new manager. “He was a commanding centre-half who was brilliant in the air and comfortable with the ball at his feet.

“He was a good all-round defender which is what I want to progress to be. I have a fair bit to learn and I think he can teach me a lot of things.”

Davis also insisted that he had no qualms about dropping two levels into regionalised football due to City’s stature in the game, adding: “Playing in National League North didn’t really put me off because, when you hear about York City, you know it’s a big club and not one that you haven’t really heard of.

“It was a no brainer really, because it’s a great opportunity for me to come and play, put myself in the shop window and get some enjoyment for the game back, because you can easily become demoralised when you’re not in the matchday squad. I also played at Luton during the season when they went up from the Conference, so I know how enjoyable it can be when you have success at non-League level and I’m hoping I can help York experience something similar.

“I’m under contract at Port Vale until the end of the season, but the manager there (Neil Aspin) has brought in a few centre-halves and I’ve found myself out of his plans, so I just want to get my fitness back and then see where we are in January after, hopefully, putting in some good performances for the benefit of myself and the club.”

Davis is following in the footsteps of his father - former Leyton Orient and Crewe boss Steve - who scored a goal and made two appearances on loan for City from Barnsley in 1997.

Having consulted his dad before making the move to North Yorkshire, Davis revealed: “Although he only played a couple of games because he got injured, he really enjoyed his time at the club and loved the area, because York is a beautiful place and he was all for me coming here to get some experience.

“I know that he scored on his debut and, whilst I’ve not asked him about that, I’m sure he’d go into detail about it if I did! I guess I’ve got that to live up to so, hopefully, I can notch one tonight and go level with him.”

Ahead of this evening’s home match with Chester, Davis is hoping the team can build on a positive performance at the weekend, reasoning: “I thought we were definitely going to get at least a replay.

“We were the better side the longer the game went on and, at 1-1 looking up at the clock with 70 minutes on it, I felt we could get another goal.

“We were frustrating them, but their second goal caught a nick off me when Barts (Adam Bartlett) was committed to his dive, which was unfortunate and disappointing.

“It wasn’t to be and that’s the way it goes sometimes.”

Davis only had one practice session prior to the Swindon tie after joining up with the squad the day before in Wiltshire, but went on to forge a good understanding with Sean Newton, who switched from left back to the heart of the visitors’ defence and impressed the debutant, who enthused: I thought he was brilliant.

“His talking was first-class and I felt that we created a good partnership together, along with the rest of the back four too. I felt comfortable in there and thoroughly enjoyed it.”