Alex Davies said he is determined to repay London Welsh’s bosses for their support during his nine-month injury lay-off, writes SIMON WILLIAMS.

The 28-year-old versatile back is delighted to be playing again, after coming on as a second-half replacement in Sunday’s narrow LV= Cup defeat against Saracens – his first game for the Exiles this season after rupturing the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee on May 11.

Of his comeback, in front of the home supporters at the Kassam Stadium, Davies said: “It’s been a long time. It was amazing. I had a nice reception from the crowd.”

Davies said the long injury lay-off had been difficult enough, but it had been particularly tough watching powerless on the sidelines while his teammates struggled. Welsh have now failed to win any of their 22 games so far this season.

  •  Latest Sport news

He said: “Results have not been going our way. It’s tough having to watch. It’s very frustrating because you can’t do anything about it.

“As any player will tell you, there’s nothing good about being injured.”

Davies says he is now fully fit and match ready, having played three games for English National League 1 side Rosslyn Park on loan last month.

“It was good to get game time and some confidence,” he said.

Davies came on at scrum half for Rob Lewis in the 60th minute against Saracens and although he missed a tough, penalty attempt, he was relatively pleased with his contribution.

As an accurate goalkicker, Davies has been a key part of the Exiles’ success since signing in 2011, as London Welsh won the Championship the following year and also last term.

He paid tribute to Welsh’s head coach and chairman for their support during his long lay-off.

He said: “Justin Burnell and Bleddyn Phillips have been really good to me. They have stood by me for nine months.

“I want to go out and give something back and do something for them.”

  •  Do you want alerts delivered straight to your phone via our WhatsApp service? Text NEWS or SPORT or NEWS AND SPORT, depending on which services you want, and your full name to 07767 417704. Save our number into your phone’s contacts as Oxford Mail WhatsApp and ensure you have WhatsApp installed.