Davinson: 'I felt so despondent but now we are back on track'

Davinson Sanchez is glad to be back in the frame and winning matches after feeling crushed by his three-game ban.

The defensive powerhouse, remarkably still only 21, has been superb at the back since his summer arrival from Ajax and had been virtually ever-present in the Premier League and Champions League until a trip to Watford on December 2.

During that game, he caught Hornets star Richarlison with his arm and was shown a straight red card, ruling him out of the following matches against Stoke, Brighton and Manchester City.

The suspension hit him hard.

Forced to sit on the sidelines, Davinson said he found it so difficult not to be able to play his part on the pitch but, after coming straight back into the side for our 3-0 win at Burnley on December 23 and then helping us to a 5-2 home victory over Southampton on Boxing Day, he’s now got his smile back!

“Of course, it was difficult (to be suspended) because my mentality is always that I try to help the team, I try to help my team-mates and when I don’t play it’s so difficult,” he said.

“I felt so despondent because I am a player who finds it tough when I can’t help the coach and the team.

“The red card… I had to be calm and take the decision. I came back in the Saturday game (against Burnley) and I tried to give the most I could in my performance, then we had a big result against Southampton.

“They were good games for the team and we got back on track with two very good results, which I am very happy about. Now we have to keep competing and improving.”