Blackburn Rovers midfielder David Bentley believes his decision to opt out of England's Under 21 squad this summer could have cost him his place in the senior setup.
Bentley had been hoping his good form for Blackburn would see him called up to the senior squad for Wednesday's Wembley meeting between England and Germany after he had impressed for the Under 21s in the past.
However, the 22-year-old admits his decision to withdraw from this summer's Under 21 European Championship could have cost him his place in the senior squad after he was omitted by England manager Steve McClaren.
Bentley believes McClaren could have decided not to select him for the game against Germany because he pulled out the Under 21 squad on the eve of the tournament due to fatigue.
"I believe my decision in the summer might have had a consequence on me getting picked," Bentley told Sky Sports News.
"Maybe it's a big factor, I don't know.
"I thought maybe I wouldn't get picked because of my decision. I had an open mind on it.
"I thought you keep performing on the pitch and maybe that'll be enough to get you in. But, I made a decision to not go.
"I respect the decision he [McClaren] has made. You can't have a player drop out of the squad and then put him straight back in.
"It's up to me to go out week in week out and prove myself again.
"If I keep doing that and being honest and trying to play well and giving it my all then hopefully I can get back into the setup.
"I stick by my decision and hopefully come the end of the season it will be the right decision."
