Last Updated: Sun, 10 Jun 2007 13:12
Blackburn winger David Bentley admits he defied England coach Steve McClaren by pulling out of the Under-21 European Championships.
Angered coach Stuart Pearce has already slammed the former Arsenal youngster as a ?disgrace', and it appears Bentley has also seriously damaged his hopes of staying in McClaren's plans for the forthcoming Euro 2008 qualifiers.
However, the Rovers ace still claims he has made the right decision for the sake of his long-term career.
"I spoke to Steve McClaren man to man and he recommended I play. But it was my decision.
"I have to think what my body is telling me. It wasn't a rash decision, but I didn't want to be a yes-man."
Bentley also told talkSPORT: "If you want to be firing and make a push for the European Championship next year then you have got to think long and hard about it. It was a two-week decision."