Frank Sinclair has thanked Steve Cotterill for allowing him to rebuild his career.
Frank Sinclair has thanked Burnley boss Steve Cotterill for allowing him to rebuild his career and is determined to repay his faith by helping The Clarets overcome local rivals Blackburn in the FA Cup.Sinclair spent six nights in a Spanish jail last term having being arrested on charges of sexual assault in La Manga.
Although he was cleared of all charges, the defender believes the incident tarnished his reputation in the game as he struggled to find a new club after leaving Leicester at the end of last season.
Cotterill eventually offered him a lifeline which he gratefully accepted, and he has performed well at Turf Moor.
"What happened last year gave me a bit of determination and the desire to prove people wrong," he stated.
"There was a stigma there but Steve Cotterill was willing to give me the opportunity because he'd seen me at first hand when he worked as a coach at Leicester last season.
"He knew there was a hunger in me to prove a point and that I would be worth bringing up here.
"There were a lot of doubters when it came to taking me on after I'd been released by Leicester last summer.
"I didn't get too many phone calls. People probably didn't think I was worth the risk.
"Ability-wise, I don't think there was an issue but I just feel people wondered whether it was worth risking having me at their club.
"But I was given the chance to prove myself at Burnley and I'm obviously very grateful to the gaffer."
Sinclair will come face to face with former Leicester team-mate Paul Dickov, who was arrested with him in La Manga, against Blackburn, and is delighted the Scot has also managed to get his career back on track.
"I've spoken to Paul once this season," he continued.
"I bumped into him away from football but we haven't talked about what happened.
"Paul is one of the quietest people you will ever meet off the pitch, but once he crosses the white line, he's 110 percent.
"He's always been like that but credit to him, he waited a long-time to become a regular first-choice."
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