Sunderland

The 26-year-old may have been overlooked for the Italian’s 2010 World Cup squad, when Wayne Rooney, Jermain Defoe, Emile Heskey and Peter Crouch got the nod.

But Capello insists he will be involved for his country now on, stating on the FA website: “Bent is back. In front of goal, he is really dangerous.

“He played 20 minutes against Switzerland and scored an important goal. Now he is training really well. He is probably one of the important players for the future.”

Bent failed to make the cut for the ill-fated trip to South Africa in the summer despite smashing 24 goals last term to finish second behind Rooney as the most prolific English striker in the Premier League.

The former Charlton and Ipswich star has successfully relaunched his career with the Black Cats after an unhappy spell with Tottenham between 2007-09.

The Londoner still managed 18 goals in 60 appearances for the White Hart Lane outfit, however he never really seemed to have the confidence of boss Harry Redknapp having been signed by Martin Jol.

Bent made the switch to the Stadium of Light for £10m although he could eventually cost Sunderland a reported £16.5m, if various add-ons become payable by the Wearsiders (Sunderland 9/1 – Top Six Finish).

England are not in action until Tuesday October 12 when they entertain Montenegro in a Euro 2012 qualifier, with Capello keen to give his squad as much rest as possible.

He confirmed: “A lot of players have played a lot of games before we play, I prefer to select the players for the game on Tuesday.

“Also I prefer not to play a friendly game on the Friday because we think that the Montenegro game will be really, really important.”

Capello added: “We know that in this period we are really good, the players are playing well and physically it is a really good moment.

“We have to wait five months for the next game with Wales, so we know what we have to do.”

England have got off to a storming start to their Euro 2012 qualification campaign, with back-to-back wins against Bulgaria and Switzerland to top Group G (Three Lions 1/25 – To Qualify).

Bet on the World Cup and get £200. Click here to visit Bet365 and claim your free money.

Fabio Capello

The 64-year-old Italian tactician narrowly escaped the axe from his £6million-a-year post this summer following the Three Lions’ disastrous World Cup campaign in South Africa in which several lacklustre performances ended with a dismal 4-1 thrashing against Germany in the second round.

However, the Football Association stuck with Capello and his bid to get England to the European Championships in two years’ time (England 1/7 Group G Winner) has started impressively with two opening wins against Bulgaria and Switzerland with seven goals scored and only one conceded.

England’s good start has been all the more admirable given that the experienced and influential Chelsea duo John Terry and Frank Lampard have both been absent due to injuries. And the likes of Adam Johnson and Theo Walcott – who both missed the World Cup – have both shown why they can now be key men for the national side in the Euro 2012 qualification campaign.

A victory against a Montenegro side, which has also started with two wins, at Wembley next month would put England (1/25 Yes – To Qualify) in an excellent position to make the finals in Poland and Ukraine. And, while there have been suggestions that Capello could even be asked to stay on until the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, he has made his mind up to call it a day and put his feet up.

When asked if he would be leaving after 2012, Capello said: “Absolutely. Yes.

“We have to qualify first of course but after that I will be too old.

“I want to enjoy my life as a pensioner.”

Bet on the World Cup and get £200. Click here to visit Bet365 and claim your free money.