CHIPPENAM Town's heroic defender Gareth Davies is confident Steve White is the man to rescue the Bluebirds from the relegation zone.

Davies, who played with White during his spell at Hereford, was magnificent in Saturday's FA trophy match against Basingstoke Town, adding steel and aggression to the Bluebirds defence.

It was the combative defender's first full appearance since the start of the season, when he decided to take time off to be with his newborn baby.

Davies said he wanted to spend more time with his family than on long away trips, although he hinted then he may not have been able to turn his back on the game completely.

But he said the lure of playing with White again was too much to resist and is convinced the former Swindon defender can reverse the club's ailing fortunes.

"I thoroughly enjoyed it out there," he said. "I spoke to Steve before the match and as long as my knee holds out I don't see why I can't carry on playing.

"It's going to take me four or five months to get back to full fitness because I've been out for along time.

"That was my choice, but I want to play football for this club and for Steve White.

"He's a great man and we have a mutual respect since our time at Hereford. He has a great professional attitude and we're both winners, and hopefully I can be part of his plans.

"The team has got its commitment back, which we haven't had this season.

Davies paid tribute to the team's commitment and work ethic as they dominated possession in Saturday's game and worked hard to earn the Tuesday evening replay with Basingstoke.

But nowhere was the team's passion and desire to win more evident than in the ferocious figure of Davies, as he bawled at his defence and made several goal saving tackles as Basingstoke looked for a second goal to kill the game.

"We had so much possession because we worked hard off and on the ball, which we have done this season," he said.

"Their goal came about because we switched off as a back four, but we will only get better.

"As a team we can go away from here and hopefully people will say how well we played.

"The season starts from now. Steve has made some changes and tried to raise the tempo we play at.

As players you always seem to be able to find that little bit extra when a new manager comes in, but I'm sure there will be more changes in the future."

Davies said the result was just what the team needed and said he is confident the fans will see a transformed team in the next few weeks.