By Paul Brown

Darren Bent says he's able to cope with the ups and downs of football, thanks to his faith in God.

Bent has had a traumatic time of late, missing the final three months of the season with an ankle problem before being overlooked for the summer's European Championships.

But while others will dwell on their exclusion from the Ukraine/Poland major tournament, Bent will find solace in the words of the bible, a book he reads every day.

Bent says his faith helps shape who he is as a person and provides him great strength at all times.

He said: "My grandma has got me into my religion because she used to carry me to church every Sunday. I read the bible every day before I get up! You've got to have faith.

"Wherever I go I always take the bible with me and put it beside my bed so it's there for me to read it every day.

"I've been through some hard times here at Villa and at Spurs and missing out on major tournaments with England too.

"It has been difficult, but I'm a believer that good things come to those who wait and I believe if I am patient and I have faith then more good things will happen to me in my life and in my career.

"I still go to church when I can, although it can be hard with Sunday games. But, whenever my grandma needs me to do something for the church - to go along to an event or sign something for the church - then I'm more than happy to do that.

"I don't get any stick for my faith in the dressing room and I think the lads realise it is a personal choice of mine and they respect that.

"A lot of footballers have now got tattoos with hands praying and stuff like that, which can be a bit clichéd, but I have got my faith and it is important to me.

"It's always been a support for me. It's not for everybody, some people believe in it, some people don't but I know in my household and with my family it's a big part of our lives and what we do."

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