BLACKBURN Rovers striker Jay Bothroyd insists he's now a reformed character after a ticking off from his mum hammered home the need to learn more self-control.

Bothroyd's 'bad boy' reputation came back to haunt him recently when he was sent off for a wild kick at Norwich's Mattias Jonson, leading to a three-match ban.

The 24-year-old was also red-carded for a similar incident during his time at Coventry City but he claims the frustration of being on the sidelines - and a rebuke from his mother - has made him realise the error of his ways.

Speaking ahead of today's game against Tottenham, Bothroyd said: "I'd been doing really well, scored a goal and had a few shots against Norwich and it was a silly thing to do.

"In fact, it was ridiculous and I was embarrassed - my mum even phoned up and let me know what she thought about me.

"Sometimes these things happen in the heat of the battle and I've got to learn how to channel that anger in a different way now.

"Every player has lost their head at some point in their career but I've got to learn from that and come back better for it."

Bothroyd was widely criticised for his moment of madness at Carrow Road but Rovers boss Mark Hughes has stood by the striker while he's been serving his three-match suspension and he's ready to draw a line under the whole affair.

"Jay did very well just prior to his little blip and he's trained very, very hard in the period he has been out so, hopefully, everyone is going to put it behind them and move forward now," said Hughes.

"People have seen a glimpse of what type of player Jay is and we are hoping that he will show more of the strengths he has and less of the weaknesses."

Bothroyd is hoping for a recall against Spurs today, although he may have to settle for a place on the substitutes' bench as Hughes is likely to stick with the same side that performed so impressively at Fulham.

As a former Arsenal striker, Bothroyd will be fired up to shoot down a Spurs side who have won just once in their last seven Premiership games.

He said: "When I was at Arsenal, Pat Rice always used to refer to Tottenham as the enemy and whenever we played them it was always really heated so there'll be a bit of extra rivalry for me.

"I know Jermain Defoe because we played together for England and I also know Ledley King from playing against Tottenham when I was younger.

"It's always good to play against your friends because afterwards when we win I can ring them up and take the Mickey!"

As for the future, Bothroyd has admitted he would like to stay at Rovers permanently rather than return to Italian side Perugia when his season-long loan runs out.

"I hope Blackburn are going to offer me a full-time contract," added the striker. "I'm just going to play as well as I can in the meantime and see what happens."