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Blues hero Davies gives verdict on his Pompey 'rest'

Ben Davies insists he had no quarrel with being rested for Pompey's game with Leyton Orient - but admits he was glad to be back in action for the win over Bristol Rovers.

The right-back - many fans' player of the season - was left out of the side by Paul Cook last week and some felt his absence contributed to a lacklustre Blues display against Kevin Nolan's side.

They were pleased to see him back against Rovers and after he set up the two first-half goals that paved the way for victory, he confessed the rest had probably done him good.

Meanwhile Davies has spoken of his hopes that he can extend his current Fratton contract, which is due to run out at the end of the season.

He told the Pompey website: 'I want to play every single game, but when the gaffer pulls you out, you have to take it on the chin. I got my rest and was able to come back feeling fresher and contribute to an excellent result.'

Davies told the website the Rovers victory was just what had been needed: 'We started the first half very well and with the amount of chances we created, we could have won by more. The lads were superb.

'We’d spoken all week about how flat we had been in the previous game and how we hadn’t given the fans anything. So it was nice to get the early goal against Bristol Rovers because it just settled everyone down.

'It was pleasing to get the two assists and they were good finishes from Gareth and Michael, while Marc McNulty came on the second half to finish things off. We were disappointed not to keep the clean sheet. It was a fantastic finish from their lad right at the end, but we were sloppy in the build-up. But the biggest thing was the result and we knew that we had to respond following what was an unacceptable performance.

'It was a good atmosphere for a match between two well-supported sides and our fans were excellent yet again. Now we just need to concentrate on each game as it comes, so our focus turns to the next one, which is Yeovil.'

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