Source: Daily_Mail
David Bentley joins Birmingham on loan
David Bentley has completed his six-month loan deal to Birmingham, having passed his medical at St Andrews.[LNB]The right winger signed for Spurs from Blackburn in 2008 for £15million and was rated as one of England's hottest prospects at the time.[LNB]But the 26-year-old, who has seven England caps to his name, has endured a tough time at White Hart Lane and been pushed further down the pecking order, behind Aaron Lennon.[LNB] Loan spell: The 26-year-old, who has won seven England caps, will spend six months at Birmingham[LNB]A statement on Birmingham's website tonight read: 'Blues have securedthe services of Spurs and England winger David Bentley on loan untilthe end of the season.' [LNB]Alex McLeish might be able to select Bentley for Sunday's Midlands derby game against Aston Villa at St Andrews if his registration is accepted by the Premier League and the Football Association in time.[LNB]An Arsenal trainee, he played just over 40 games for Spurs, though Redknapp believes that the spell with Birmingham will do the midfielder good.[LNB]The Spurs manager admitted that the White Hart Lane crowd could have played a part in Bentley's decision to move.[LNB] In Becks's shadow: Many believed that Bentley was the heir apparent to David Beckham for England[LNB] Redknapp said: 'I played him against Arsenal [in September - Spurs lost 4-1] and he hadn't played for months - he'd been injured, he came back and played his first game in the Carling Cup and I thought he did well.[LNB]'Yet I felt the crowd was on him a bit - they were waiting for him to make a mistake, and it's not easy when you play like that.[LNB]'He was a bit low after the game, I could see that. He was disappointed and I just felt maybe it's time for him to move on.'[LNB] Local Derby: Birmingham manager Alex McLeish could select the midfielder for Sunday's game against Aston Villa if the Premier League accept his registration in time[LNB] Bentley may have been further disheartened when Tottenham began looking to loan former England captain David Beckham, who is currently training with the north London club though has not secured a deal yet.[LNB]Two years ago Bentley was viewed by many as the natural replacement on the right hand side of midfield for the 115-cap star. But injures and loss of form have meant that he is looking to kick-start his career at St Andrews.[LNB]In addition, Everton's Steven Pienaar could seal a move to White Hart Lane either in this transfer window or the summer, making Bentley's Spurs future look even bleaker.[LNB]However, Redknapp was full of praise for the Peterborough-born midfielder and backed him to shine at Birmingham.[LNB]'He could move on and do a fantastic job - that's my honest opinion,' he added.[LNB]'He can cross it, he can score goals, and he can pick a pass. He's got no real pace. He is similar to Beckham in lots of ways, he's got that unbelievable delivery of the ball.'[LNB]Bentley made his competitive debut for Tottenham in August 2008 away at Middlesbrough where his team lost 2-1. He netted his first goal for Spurs in the UEFA Cup first round tie against Wisła Krak? month later. [LNB]He then scored his first league goal for Tottenham against his old club Arsenal with a sizzling 43-yard dipping volley in a 4-4 draw on 29 October 2008. But since then failed to sustain good fitness or form.[LNB]Bentley won the last of his seven international caps in a friendly against Switzerland in February 2008.[LNB]He was the first Englishman to score at the new Wembley Stadium in a game against Italy under-21s on March 2007.[LNB] Beckham suffers injury scare during training but Spurs insist it isn't seriousMancini predicts summer scramble for Bale as Tottenham fight to keep starCrocked King facing new woe as groin injury keeps Tottenham defender outTottenham to press ahead with Neville move despite hands off warning[LNB][LNB] Explore more:People: David Bentley, Aaron Lennon, David Beckham, Alex McLeish Places: Birmingham, United Kingdom, Switzerland, Italy Organisations: Football Association
