Ex-England star wants Leeds move

The former Tottenham Hotspur and Arsenal winger is on the look-out for a new club after being released by Spurs in July, with the 29-year-old having already been linked with a move to Elland Road.

The free agent has been working hard with a personal trainer on his fitness since leaving White Hart Lane and is looking to reignite his career again after a few seasons in the doldrums.

It is understood that a number of sides – from home and abroad – are interested in his services, including several teams from the Championship.

However, sources close to the player have said that Leeds would jump to the head of that queue, if they were to make a firm offer for the former England star.

They insist a switch to Leeds is something that would seriously interest Bentley, with the club more appealing than the vast majority of other second-tier teams.

Following Saturday’s home defeat to Burnley, boss Brian McDermott confirmed his desire to sign a loan striker to boost his attacking options, with only two sides, struggling duo Yeovil and Bolton having scored fewer league goals than them.

The other priority area is on the flanks, with United having struggled for width in games throughout the campaign, with Bentley potentially offering a tailor-made option in that department – one McDermott has previously spoken about as being deficient.

Bentley is currently assessing his options before making the next move, having spent the majority of a frustrating 2012-13 season on loan at Russian side FC Rostov before linking up with his former club Blackburn Rovers on an emergency 93-day loan in February. At the start of the new year, Bentley had been linked with a reunion with former Spurs boss Harry Redknapp at QPR in the January transfer window, but saw a move fall through.

Meanwhile, United may have to be patient if they firm up any move for old boy Luciano Becchio. The Argentine hit-man, who moved from the Whites to Norwich City on the final day of the transfer window in January, is down the pecking order at Carrow Road, but is in the Canaries’ squad for the Capital One Cup clash at Watford tonight.

With summer signing Gary Hooper only just back in the fray following injury and awaiting his first full start and Ricky van Wolkswinkel a fitness doubt for the Hornets tie with a toe problem, as it stands, Canaries manager Chris Hughton looks likely to keep hold of Becchio, although that could quickly change.

Hughton has fielded several enquiries regarding the availability of Becchio, strongly linked with a move to Middlesbrough at the end of August with the Teessiders remaining interested in the forward, who is thought to be open to a return to Leeds.

Reading and Brighton have also been linked with the 29-year-old, who has failed to find the back of the net in nine games for Norwich with his sole appearance this term coming as a sub in the 6-3 League Cup win over Kevin Blackwell’s Bury last month.

The Royals are also at the front of the queue to sign Southampton striker Billy Sharp with some reports suggesting his signing is imminent.

United, beaten in their last two matches, are back in action in a third-round Capital One Cup clash at Newcastle United at St James’ Park on tomorrow night, with Toon skipper Fabricio Coloccini warning of a backlash following their surprise 3-2 home reverse to Hull City on Saturday.

He said: “There were bad feelings after Hull – frustration, anger and everything you would expect.

“But we have a game on Wednesday and we have to turn the page right now. We must look to the next game.

“Boss Alan Pardew is mulling over the prospect of changes following the disappointing weekend defeat and admits he has a lot of thinking time to ponder things before making his decision.

An unlikely starter is midfielder Yohan Cabaye, who came off feeling the after-effects of a challenge from Curtis Davies at the weekend.

Definitely out for the Magpies are Shola Ameobi and Stephen Taylor.

On the make-up of his side tomorrow, Pardew added: “I’ve got a lot of thinking time and I’ll be using that.”

• Keep abreast of news from your club, plus complete live match data and stats, with our new FREE apps. Versions for iPhone and Android.