New Fulham striker Darren Bent has admitted that last season was a "horrible" one at Aston Villa, with the forward "disappointed" at being ostracised in the Midlands by Paul Lambert.
Bent was left out in the cold by Lambert last season, restricted to just 16 appearances as the Scot opted to build a Villa side around Christian Benteke and a crop of youngsters.
The 29-year-old thinks that Lambert's treatment cost him a chance to press home his claim for a regular England place, and the forward is now desperate to make up for his lost time at Craven Cottage.
He told The Mirror: "It was horrible. It wasn't so much the injuries, although they certainly didn't help, it was just the uncertainty. I understand that not every player can be every manager's cup of tea, but to be alienated like that, to be kicked out of the first-team dressing room when I've played a long time and when I'm an international, just felt a bit disappointing.
"There were times when I was thinking 'do I really deserve this'? It's all well and good not being part of the squad, but to be treated like we have is bad. At the same time, I'm trying to put all that behind me. I'm a Fulham player, I'm happy to be a Fulham player and I'm looking forward to kicking on from here. I feel like I've got a lot of football in me.
"I'm not just hungry to play football again, I'm absolutely starving. I'm ready to get going. I've missed on a couple of major competitions with England, but I just hope this is my year. I need to get back to playing regularly, scoring goals for Fulham and that's my priority. That's what I do best. There's still so much to come from me."
Bent is bidding to make his Fulham debut this weekend, as Martin Jol's men prepare for a first home match of the campaign against Arsenal on Saturday.
Liam Power
