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Former Wolves striker Jay Bothroyd has conceded his ‘bad attitude’ held him back at the beginning of his career.

Bothroyd was a promising young forward at Arsenal when he reacted angrily to being substituted in an under-18s game and was subsequently offloaded to Coventry City.

After further spells with Italian side Perugia, Blackburn Rovers and Charlton Athletic Bothroyd joined Wolves under Mick McCarthy.

Bothroyd spent two seasons at Wolves before being sold to Cardiff City where his form in front of goal would lead to a full England cap in 2010.

Having played for England Bothroyd insists he achieved what he set out to, but the striker also admits he might have gone further in the game.

"I came from quite a rough area in Islington, I grew up around crime and violence,” he told Sky Sports.

“For me my goal was always to play at the highest level, in the Premier League, to represent my country, and do as well as I can. For me, I've achieved my goals.

“If I'm honest, probably for my potential, I underachieved, but that's because of my attitude when I was younger.

"I had a bad attitude, I'm not afraid to say that, but as you get older you put things in perspective and have a look at yourself a bit more and learn from that.

"When you're a 20-year-old boy it's always someone else's fault, but as you get older you look at yourself and evaluate yourself more, and become a better person and player for it."

Bothroyd signed for Japanese club Jubilo Iwata in 2015 and rediscovered his goalscoring touch.

After two prolific seasons he joined current side Hokkaido Consadole Sapporo and the goals have continued to flow.

And he’s explained the huge difference in culture he's experiencing in Japan.

Bothroyd said: "When I read stories about players having fights on the training pitch, that's like an everyday thing in Europe and England, but over here you'd get sacked.

"Drinking and driving, you wouldn't play again in this country, whereas in England you'll get a fine but you're playing again on Saturday.

"A lot of people in the western part of the world have tattoos. It can be the smallest tattoo, but they won't let you in at saunas, spas, public swimming pools.

“They won't let you in at certain places because culturally, years ago, [with a] tattoo, you were deemed to be part of 'Yakuza', which is mafia and crime [related]."