Spurs striker Bent: I'll stay and fight for my place

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The 23-year-old, who signed from Charlton for a club-record £16.5million in June, has struggled to gain a place on a regular basis.

Glove thy neighbours: Bent grew up an Arsenal fan

But as Tottenham prepare to face bitter North London rivals Arsenal today, the club he supported as a boy, Bent says he is willing to fight for his place. "It was always going to be difficult to get a regular place but, ultimately, it will make me a better player being in this kind of competition," said the Tottenham striker, whose hero growing up was Gunners' striker Ian Wright.

"I could have gone to a few other clubs and been playing every week but it was Tottenham I wanted to join and I don't regret that one bit," Bent told the Guardian. "I still believe in myself. I'm still working hard because I know the minute I stop doing that is when it all goes to pot. But I don't think that will ever happen with me.

"I'm still convinced I can have the same impact for Tottenham that I had for Charlton. I'm still convinced it's only a matter of time."

He added: "People are always going to pick out someone who cost a lot of money and, so far, it's fair to say Tottenham haven't seen the best of me. But it's been only six months. Some people go on like I've been here two years and it simply hasn't worked. But it will work and I will turn it around."