Bent - I can handle criticism

Bent: Confident

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Sunderland striker Darren Bent admits he could have crumbled under the criticism he received after England's game against Brazil.

Bent's performance in last week's friendly defeat in Doha was widely criticised as he failed to make an impact after being given a rare start by Fabio Capello.

The performance raised question marks over Bent's place in the squad for the World Cup, but the former Tottenham man shrugged off the criticism to score the winning goal against Arsenal on Saturday.

Bent insists he will not let the flak affect him and is focusing on doing his best for Sunderland.

"My desire to go to the World Cup won't go away after one bad England result," Bent told The Mirror. "The England critics have done what they always do, but I won't let it affect me.

Confident

"I am a confident guy. I feel the last two years have made me mentally stronger. Had I had this criticism before I probably would have crumbled.

"No-one can take away my Sunderland goals or my Sunderland form, and I know that the way to be a success with the England squad is to be a success with Sunderland.

"The Brazil game was tough. If a striker does not get the service then it is hard to score, but at Sunderland I know I am getting the service and the chances so I am confident the goals will keep coming.

"If we play like we have in the last two or three games we will win games and I will get goals. The season has started really well for us and I am still really optimistic.

"We beat Liverpool, we drew with United, and now we've beaten Arsenal, and none of that is a fluke."