Bentley targets Becks' place
26 May 2008 - 14:31:56
Blackburn Rovers midfielder David Bentley is looking to oust David Beckham from the side and make himself a permanent fixture in the England starting eleven.
The 23-year-old midfielder is hoping to be included in coach Fabio Capello's starting line-ups for the forthcoming international friendlies against USA and Trinidad & Tobago.
Bentley has conceded his inclusion is likely to be at the expense of former captain Beckham, but claims international football is no place for sentimentality.
He said: "I know David Beckham is loved the world over and I admire him as a man and a player, but I will be trying my hardest to challenge him for the position.
"The levels David has reached are fantastic, but I know I have to go every day to training and be aiming to reach those levels and go higher.
"You want to push yourself on to the next level and I'll be looking to play as many games as I can to push on to the next step.
"These are big games for me to try and establish myself as an international player and push on."