CHIPPENHAM Town defender Gareth Davies wants to stay with the Bluebirds next season to repay the club for their support in his battle to overcome his knee problem.

The former Swindon Town man quit the professional game at the age of just 28 in January after suffering for nearly three years with cruciate ligament damage.

Davies, who lives in Chippenham decided to put his troublesome left knee through the rigours of Dr Martens League football after being approached by chairman Malcolm Lyus.

After a string of steady performances Davies is now regular part of a rock-solid Chippenham back line that also includes left back Grantley Dicks, and central defensive duo Shane Andrews and Nathan Rudge.

He said: "The Dr Martens League is nowhere near as physically demanding as professional football and it takes time to adjust. Last Wednesday night's against Solihull was, I felt, my best game for the club so far, but I'm still nowhere near my best because my knee won't let me do it any more."

The crucial 3-1 win over Solihull saw the Bluebirds open up a ten-point gap on the promotion-chasing midlanders and Davies bagged his first goal in a Chippenham shirt with a powerful first half header.

He said: "It is always nice to get up there and have a chance to score.

"I think my goals come along about as often as lottery wins."

The former Welsh under 21 international is enjoying a new lease of life at right-back after spending much of his ten-year professional career at the heart of the defence.

"Right back is suiting me. I stay out of trouble there and there would have been no point in breaking up the Shane Andrews and Nathan Rudge's partnership. They have probably been the most consistent players for us this season."

Davies is currently being tracked by a host of Conference clubs but he says he would dearly love to sign a contract at Hardenhuish Park next year, providing a deal between the two parties can be struck.

He said: "It is nice to be playing in a side going for promotion and, if we win promotion I would like to play for Chippenham again next year.

"I feel I owe the club something because they have given me and my knee a chance when they didn't have to. There are conference clubs watching me week-in, week-out, but if the money I might be offered by them in the summer isn't that different to what Chippenham offer me, then I'll stay."