David Bentley: 'Reputation cost me'

Forgotten man David Bentley has insisted that his 'false reputation' has cost him a better football career.

After starting his career at Arsenal, many had tipped the 28-year-old to make a big impact in the game and he was compared to the likes of Dennis Bergkamp and David Beckham.

However, since moving to White Hart Lane, Bentley has found playing time a rarity and has often been shipped out on loan. The former Blackburn Rovers player joined Russian outfit FC Rostov earlier this month, and he is happy to be away from his 'bad image'.

"I think there's a big stigma around me in England. The picture that Tottenham painted of me was so wrong," said Bentley.

"I've heard a lot of managers ringing players up and saying, 'I've heard he's trouble'. The players then tell me about it, but by then they had decided not to sign me. Someone had to be telling them that, because it's just not what I am like.

"It's time for a fresh start - get rid of those shackles and get away from England for a while to go to somewhere to be judged on what I can do on the pitch rather than something that's completely wrong about me."

Bentley has seven England caps to his name.