Sierra Leone call-up Curtis Davies left Derby after six years in the off-season to join fellow League One club Cheltenham<\/p>\n\n\n\n

By Ben Miller & Isaac Fanin<\/p>\n\n\n\n

BBC Sport Africa<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Curtis Davies initially struggled to work out why Sierra Leone’s physiotherapist was calling him.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The dependable defender, a Premier League regular this century, had answered an Instagram message requesting the chat, which started on the topic of the experience he has amassed during a 20-year senior club career.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

After a six-year spell with Derby County that included captaining the club and winning player of the season in 2022-23, Davies signed a one-year deal in June with Cheltenham Town, who currently prop up English football’s third tier.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A Leone Stars manager (Lars-Olof Mattsson) first contacted Davies about a potential call-up about 10 years ago when the player, who had won three England Under-21 caps between 2006 and 2007, was with Birmingham.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

So it was a surprise when it turned out his international playing services were being sought again.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“I was like, ‘You know I’m 38, right?'” Davies, whose CV includes spells with Aston Villa, Birmingham City, Hull City and West Bromwich Albion, told BBC Sport Africa.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“It’s always been a big thing in the back of my mind, but I didn’t think the opportunity would come again.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Although he needs international clearance, given a previous registration with the English FA from his Under-21 days, prior to making his full debut, Davies could feature on Tuesday when the Leone Stars play Somalia in an unofficial friendly in Morocco.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“It will be amazing,” said Davies of his potential debut. “I’m proud to be English and proud to be Sierra Leonean – more so because I never expected it to come.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“The fact that it’s come this late in my career almost makes it more special.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Up and away with Sierra Leone<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

As well as his wife, one of the people Davies spoke to while making his decision was his father, who was born in Sierra Leone’s capital, Freetown, before moving to England in 1970.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“When his family all went back in ’74 or ’75, he chose to stay – to try to find the English dream, I guess,” says Davies, recalling how his dad would drive all over England to help him when he was rising through the ranks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“My culture is black British culture. I grew up around Jamaicans, Africans, Somalis – all kinds of different black people, but not necessarily Sierra Leoneans.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“My dad had effectively acclimatised to the English way of life, other than cooking okra<\/a> soup. I was quite removed from the [African] culture – I’m honest enough to say that. There was never even an opportunity for me to go back.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“It’s never too late to finally engage with and find your roots.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n