Bent, Defoe, Robbie Keane and Dimitar Berbatov are scrapping for two places in Martin Jol's starting XI but Defoe has not started a game.

He was left out of the matchday squad last weekend against Arsenal.

The England striker responded by coming off the bench and scoring twice in the midweek UEFA Cup clash, with Bent also on the scoresheet against minnows Anorthosis Famagusta.

"He was down," said Bent.

"I speak to him virtually every day, if not in training then on the phone. He wants to play every game and he showed what he's capable of.

"He never seems to get a fair crack of the whip. The two goals show the kind of player he is."

Defoe has been left out of the squad for the Barclays Premier League match at Bolton despite his midweek goals in Europe.

Defoe, 24, finds himself on the sidelines again after not being included in the squad which has travelled to the Reebok Stadium.

Jol tends to prefer Berbatov and Keane but Bent is ready to fight his way into contention for a regular place, and he has two tap-ins to open his account for his new club after signing from Charlton for £16.5million.

All eyes will be on Jol's attacking pair for the Sunday clash at Bolton.

"I knew what I was in for before I got here," Bent, 23, added.

"It's a massive club I wanted to join and I've settled in all right.

"I've had to adapt from playing every week to now having to fight for my place. I don't mind that if I become a better player by doing that. I came down here to make myself a better player and do well for Tottenham.

"You want to challenge yourself and become a better player. For me Tottenham is making me do that. You obviously want to be out there every game but I knew what I was in for when I came down here so there are no complaints now."

Keeping his strikers happy has been one of the problems Jol has faced during a wretched start to the season where he has appeared undermined by his own board.

Club officials met Sevilla coach Juande Ramos last month and reports have suggested chairman Daniel Levy wanted to discuss bringing Jose Mourinho to White Hart Lane.

Bent's arrival was meant to help Spurs reach the Champions League but there have been serious concerns whether Jol will be the man to take them there.

"I don't know what's happened over there (at Chelsea) but the fans here and the players love Martin Jol and we responded in the right way against Famagusta," Bent added after the 6-1 win against the Cypriots.

"Everybody wanted to give a big performance and we knew that we were only one game away from giving somebody a hiding.

"He finished fifth two years in a row and maybe it's a bit unjustified. But we don't know what goes on upstairs. We all love the gaffer and we want to show him on the pitch."

Bolton boss Sammy Lee appears equally under pressure with his side bottom, although they have not lost a Premier League game at home to Spurs in more than a decade.

Bent missed a glorious chance to level against Arsenal last week but got on the scoresheet during the week and is hoping for another chance.

"It was my first derby and I missed a big chance," said Bent.

"I've not been able to sleep for I don't know how long because I missed that chance. At least I managed to get one in Europe and hopefully I can get many more this season."