Bryan Robson tells Ian Clarkson that his young defender has got what it takes...

Bryan Robson has challenged Curtis Davies to be better than John Terry, Rio Ferdinand and Sol Campbell in order to fulfil his ambition of playing for England.

Davies was acquired from Luton Town for £3 million in August and has impressed everyone at The Hawthorns with a series of polished performances, culminating in his call-up for the England Under-21 squad for their clash with France last month.

While he didn't make an appearance for Peter Taylor's team, his squad inclusion was recognition for the accomplished start he has made to life with the elite.

Eyebrows were raised when Robson elected to sign the unproven 20-year-old with only six games of Championship experience, but he has proved to be arguably Robson's shrewdest purchase of the season thus far.

He is without doubt the defensive linchpin that Robson is pinning hopes of Premiership survival around and he has been a major factor behind two consecutive clean sheets on their last pair of games at The Hawthorns.

He will be tested on Saturday against Manchester City's strike pairing of Darius Vassell and Andrew Cole, but Robson is adamant that he has a future Albion captain and potential international on his hands.

"He is definitely captain material, as he speaks during games and is a confident young lad who can go all the way," said Robson, who has Chris Kirkland back in his squad for Saturday's game after his recovery from a bruised kidney.

"He has got a great chance of improving and going further. That is a challenge for him. To reach the top, he has got to be better than the other centre-halves in the country.

"If you want to be a top player, then you have to be better than those who are about; that is his challenge.

"I am really pleased that there are people like John Terry, Rio Ferdinand and Sol Campbell about because, if Curtis ever harbours ambitions of playing for England, he has to be better than them."

However, while England are blessed with a plethora of outstanding centre-halves, Robson is firm in his belief that, as long as he keep his feet on terra firma, Davies has a sparkling future ahead of him.

With 90 England caps to his name, it is safe to assume that Robson is well versed in what are the essential ingredients needed to play at the highest level.

He cited Davies' harsh selfcriticism following errors as a pre-requisite and is convinced his sponge-like thirst for knowledge on the training ground will reap dividends.

"Curtis has to learn the game but he is willing and is going to be a very good player," added Robson.

"He is critical of himself. When he made the mistake at Blackburn for their second goal, it wasn't really going to change the game because we were already losing 1-0 in the last minute and didn't look like getting back into it.

"But he was very critical and annoyed with himself afterwards. When players assess themselves like that and go into that mode, it is really good because you know you have room to work with them.

"He is only 20 and in two years' time, when he matures, strengthens and gets to know the game a little bit better, then he has a real chance of being a top player.

"However, he has to keep his feet on the ground and you can't take anything for granted."

One man at the other end of the fotballers' age spectrum to Davies is striker Kevin Campbell. His contribution to the campaign thus far has been limited because of a series of niggling ankle injuries and Robson has preached patience to both he and fellow returnee Zoltan Gera.

The Hungarian international should be back in the fold for next week's crucial trip to Portsmouth and Robson is expecting a massive input from the duo in the second half of the season.

Albion lose Kanu (Nigeria) and Diomansy Kamara ( Senegal) for the African Nations Cup during January and Robson intends to utilise his squad fully to cope with their absence.

"I've spoken to both Zoltan and Kevin and said they have to be patient because, by the Christmas period, I want both of them to be flying like last year," said Robson.

"We haven't seen the best of Kevin or Zoltan this season and when we lose Kanu and Kamara, they will be very important."