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Bentley not giving up on Tottenham

David Bentley is looking to make a fresh start in Russia © PA Photos

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Tottenham winger David Bentley is training his sights on putting himself back in the spotlight during his loan stint at FC Rostov.

The former Blackburn man has struggled to make any impact in recent seasons at White Hart Lane and Spurs manager Andre Villas-Boas gave the green light for him to take a spell away from the club.

A move within the Premier League failed to materialise, which left Bentley to look further afield and he has jumped ship to Russia.

The move to the Russian Premier League, to play for a side sat 13th in the table, is a temporary one. Bentley has no idea what plans Spurs have for him, but he is keen to make an impact and give his parent club something to consider.

"You always hope," Bentley told Sky Sports News in reference to the chance of playing for Tottenham again. "But there's been a lot of water under the bridge. With the injury last year meant I was out for a season, and a lot of good players are ahead of me. And you always live with that hope in pre-season. It wasn't to be. I'm looking to play some games and we'll see where we go from there.

"I'm excited by the challenge. I'm there until Christmas; I'm looking forward to the challenge ahead.

"I'm fit and ready to go really. I just want to get back to playing football, and get that buzz from playing again. I'm as fit as I can be after not playing. So that's what I'm looking to do - get match fit when I'm over there and getting back into the full flow of playing football again.

"You never know with the football season and I'm treating it as a short-term contract. But long term we'll see what happens. Obviously I'm going there to enjoy the football, so if things work out we'll go from there."

Irrespective of his own position at the club, Bentley is convinced Spurs are well placed to flourish under Villas-Boas.

Bentley said: "It's very professional and he does things right, but the results have not gone so well. The future is bright with such talent that's at the club; they've got everything in place."

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