Alan Shearer, the former England captain, is backing Darren Bent to capitalise on his international recall this weekend and force his way into Fabio Capello’s World Cup plans.
Bent has not played for his country since a substitute appearance against Germany 12 months ago, but since his £10 million move from Tottenham Hotspur to Sunderland last summer, he has established himself as the leading English goalscorer in the Barclays Premier League.
“He’s had a great start to his Sunderland career,” Shearer, the former Newcastle United forward, said. “I’ve spoken to Steve Bruce [the Sunderland manager] about him and having worked with him for the first time at close quarters, he’s been very, very impressed with Darren.
“He’s scoring goals, his movement has been excellent and the runs he makes suggest he’s far more than just a goalscorer. If he gets his chance against Brazil then good luck to him, because he deserves it for the way he’s begun the season. I hope he grasps it.
“The most important thing Darren can do is score goals. Whether we like it or not, that’s how forwards are judged. You don’t get many chances at the highest level, so when they come along, you have to take them. I hope he does, because he seemed a really nice guy, level-headed and genuine.”
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Notwithstanding their respective places across the parochial divide, Bent reacted with enthusiasm to his meeting with Shearer, which he described on his Twitter page. In turn, Shearer is heartened by the alacrity with which Bent has confronted a new test.
“He seems to have really taken to life up here,” said Shearer, who was speaking at the launch of A Knight To Remember, a DVD that commemorates the life of Sir Bobby Robson. “He said he loved it up here. That’s really important. It must be difficult, particularly coming from London, to settle in straight away, but it looks to have clicked for him. He’s happy in his life and that’s reflected on the pitch.
“It’s great for Sunderland that he’s up there alongside Kenwyne Jones. They seem to have hit it off in a way that myself and Les Ferdinand did at Newcastle.
“I’m not comparing the two teams, but they seem to have something similar; they’re both decent in the air, both quick and they’re a real handful for defenders. If they can get the right ammunition, I think Sunderland will have a really good season.”
With Wayne Rooney, Jermain Defoe and Emile Heskey all favourites of Capello, Bent faces another challenge to get to the finals in South Africa, although he is equipped to succeed. “Capello will probably take five strikers and Darren will be one of three or four players vying for one or two places,” Shearer said. “Hopefully he can do enough.”
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