IT has been a long wait but Adam Davies' opportunity to mind the nets for Stoke City in a league game finally came at the weekend.

The goalkeeper from Warrington, a former pupil at Great Sankey High School, was a late call-up for the 2-0 win against Birmingham City at the bet365 Stadium - a victory that helps the Potters in their bid to clear Championship relegation danger.

Wales international Davies, 27, had to wait 383 days after his signing from Barnsley to finally pull on the red and white stripes in a league game, his debut having come in an FA Cup encounter in January.

The former Warrington Under 16 Junior Sports Personality of the Year winner (2007) made 184 appearances over six years with Barnsley in the Championship and League One, and he was honoured with their captaincy too.

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Adam Davies receives the Warrington Under 16s Junior Sports Personality of the Year Award for 2007 off Warrington Wolves' Australian rugby league star Matt King at The Halliwell Jones Stadium. Pictures: Darren Tudor

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Stoker manager Michael O’Neill was pleased with Davies' work after regular number one Jack Butland had been ruled out of Sunday's all-Midlands clash due to a neck injury.

Germany-born Davies produced an assured display between the sticks in North Staffordshire, keeping a clean sheet as O’Neill’s side recorded a comfortable 2-0 win against the Blues.

“I thought he was excellent, terrific,” O’Neill said.

“I thought he was composed from the outset, kicked extremely well, his handling was excellent and he gave great information to his back four – he looked really assured.

“I’m delighted for him because he has been patient.

"It can be frustrating for a goalkeeper when you are not getting an opportunity, but an injury has given him that opportunity and he took it."

Davies explained how he found out he would be playing.

"I had an idea that I might play on Saturday when Jack was getting treatment," he said.

"The manager told me to be ready and I got the nod in the morning.

“It was good to be out there and it was a great performance from everyone.

“It’s obviously frustrating when you are not playing but that’s the situation I’m in.

“I’m just going to keep working hard and when opportunities do come along try my best to take them. It’s then up to the manager to decide who plays.”

Davies had natural sport skills as a youngster.

His youth football career was spent with Everton, where he was awarded a two-year scholarship after gaining selection for the England Under 16s Schoolboys team.

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Adam Davies back in 2007. Pictures: Dave Gillespie

He was a pivotal member of the Great Sankey High School 2006/07 under 15s team that won the treble – the Warrington league and cup topped by the Cheshire Cup.

But he also enjoyed success at school in rugby league.

He played for the under 15s rugby league team that were defeated in the final of the national Carnegie Champion Schools Tournament in London.

That team also featured Canadian professional Super League outfit Toronto Wolfpack's former Warrington Wolves half-back Gareth O’Brien.

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Gareth O'Brien on the attack for Warrington Wolves against Leeds Rhinos in 2014. Picture: Mike Boden