GROWN men have been known to cower away from one of Sol Davis' crunching tackles.

Town players, especially, don't enjoy training ground clashes with the young full back.

Indeed, it is safe to say that his fierce competitive attitude makes him the type of player you want to see lining up alongside you rather than against you.

However, tomorrow (Saturday, September 21), Davis could come up against the one player he admits is capable of giving him the nightmares.

Davis says that former Town winger Mark Walters is something of a footballing magician and, if he plays, will be a tough opponent.

"Wally can still change a game, even if he is only on for the last ten or 15 minutes," said Davis.

"He has got that little bit of extra quality that can conjure up a goal from almost nothing, and he is still going strong in his mid-30s.

"I watched him play in the recent Carling Masters six-a-side tournament and he was brilliant. He has so much skill and time on the ball that he can still hurt teams, no matter what level he plays in."

Davis had so much respect for his senior that, while at the County Ground, he would avoid facing him at all costs.

"I came up against him so many times in training but to be honest he was the sort of player you tried to avoid because he could make you look silly," said Davis. "I just hope that I am not tricked by his legendary step-over tomorrow.

"Everyone knows he is going to do it and you wait for him to do it, but he still manages to beat you.

"The one thing we must guard against is giving him any free-kicks around the box. I am sure he would love to score against us."

Davis must be one of the most feared defenders in Division Two. His game has blossomed, he has gained control and his tackling is hard, but fair.

"I am really pleased with the way things are going," he said. "We are all working hard and the defence looks organised at the moment. The key is to keep going.

"I am enjoying my football and feel relaxed out on the pitch. The manager was obviously a quality defender in his playing days and I have learned a lot from him. I learn something new every day."

His fifth booking now means a suspension, but it will not stop him from playing his own way.

"I am really disappointed with the suspension," he said. "I don't want to lose my place in the side and I hate missing games.

"The manager told me to calm down a bit with the tackles, but when the ball is there I go for it. I have picked up a few bookings but there is no way I'm going to be taking things easy."