Bent - Judge my league form

Striker claims club performances can clinch South Africa place

By Elliot Ball   Last updated: 15th November 2009  

Bent - Judge my league form

Bent: Focussed on Sunderland

I was surprised to get the start

Darren Bent
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Darren Bent believes his Sunderland form over the coming months and not Saturday's outing for England will determine whether he books a spot in Fabio Capello's World Cup squad.

Bent returned from the international wilderness to make his first appearance in Three Lions colours for more than three-and-a-half years in the weekend friendly with five-time world champions Brazil.

But the former Tottenham, Charlton and Ipswich striker failed to mark his return with either a goal or a major impact, as the 25-year-old was eventually substituted early in the second-half for potential summer rival Jermain Defoe.

Despite his lacklustre performance in the draining Doha conditions, Bent is convinced he can book his seat on the plane to South Africa next year by adding to the eight goals already amassed for the Black Cats.

Positives

"You are not going to be judged on one game and there are so many Premier League games between now and the end of the season," he said.

"The main thing is to take the positives from this game, keep my Sunderland form going and, if I keep doing that, I know I'll be there or thereabouts for selection.

"Sunderland is more important than anything at the moment. If I am not doing a job there I am not going to get a chance for England. I will go back there, keep working hard and see what happens.

"Every game I play is like a learning curve and Brazil are a top side and made it difficult for us. The main thing is to learn from it."

Bent admitted: "I was surprised to get the start. It has been a while, nearly four years, something like that. I was delighted the manager gave me the chance.

"There are not many internationals left before the World Cup. That is why this game was so vital, especially for me. There are so many strikers battling for a spot.

"I must have a chance. The main thing is to keep my head down and keep scoring goals for Sunderland."

Barclays Prem Top Goalscorer 09/10: Bent, D. 5/1