England coach Steve McClaren's decision to bring David Bentley in from the cold has been forced by circumstances - but is still a wise move.

If David Beckham had not hurt his knee wasting his time in the Major Soccer League and Kieron Dyer's wretched run of injuries not continued, chances are Blackburn's gifted winger would have stayed in international exile.

England were punishing Bentley following his last-minute withdrawal from last summer's European Under-21 championship, with his exclusion from the friendly with Germany part of the painful process.

But McClaren's potentially dire situation means he simply could not continue making a public example of such a gifted player with England needing victories against Israel and Russia.

And, quite simply, Bentley deserves his chance.

Indeed, he deserved it before McClaren slammed into reverse gear and brought Beckham back to the international fold.

He may have been unwise, maybe even ill-advised, to withdraw from England's squad for Holland at the 11th hour - but reaction in some quarters bordered on the hysterical.

The idea, put forward by some, that Bentley should never represent his country again on the back of his "desertion" was utterly ludicrous.

And, more pertinently, England is not a country so over-flowing with talent that they can afford to dismiss players of Bentley's calibre on the strength of one misdemeanour.

Bentley has been accused of being flash by some, but a more accurate accusation is that he is one of this country's most promising young footballers.

And, under the guidance of Mark Hughes at Blackburn, has matured into the player many expected him to become at Arsenal.

Gifted, creative, a taker and maker of goals - very much the identi-kit quality wide player.

It was a signpost to the future when he lit up the inaugural game at the new Wembley for England Under-21s against their Italian counterparts.

So as Bentley's England career comes out of the deep freeze, the credits may have started rolling for former captain Beckham.

Beckham has defied critics, including myself it must be said, by rebuilding his career after his exclusion following the 2006 World Cup in Germany.

He is out for around six weeks, which makes him a doubt for England's next four qualifiers - and must put a question mark over his place in McClaren's long-term plans.

Beckham's situation is not helped by the revelation that not only is he playing in a vastly-inferior league, he is playing in one of the inferior teams in that inferior league.

Aston Villa's Ashley Young has also been given a chance to state his case, putting further pressure on the old guard.

But hopefully the excellent Bentley will get his chance at some stage.

England may even be about to reap the benefit of his decision to take a rest from international football this summer.

Bentley deserves his opportunity, and if he transfers his club form to the international stage, he will be helping keep England on course for Euro 2008 and McClaren in a job.