Sunderland striker Darren Bent feels he deserves a starting spot in England’s Euro 2012 qualifier against Montenegro on Tuesday (England 1/25 to qualify for Euro 2012).
Bent has scored eight goals so far this season, including his first ever international goal in the 3-1 victory over Switzerland, and the 26-year-old feels he is ready to impress on the international stage.
However, Bent accepts that the decision is down to boss Fabio Capello, but if called on he is ready to fire England to victory.
“Naturally I’d love to start, but it’s not for me to guess what Mr Capello is going to do,” Bent told The Guardian.
“He has his own ideas, so who knows? He can surprise people.
“Knowing what I know already about the way the England manager works, my immediate goal is not starting the game but showing up well in training, because that is what he looks for.”
Wayne Rooney has been included in the 23-man squad to face Montenegro but there are still fears the Manchester United striker will miss out through an ankle injury – and Bent will almost certainly be handed a starting role if Rooney is not fully-fit.
Capello has selected four strikers to face Montenegro, with Spurs’ Peter Crouch and Bolton’s Kevin Davies also included in the squad, and the Italian tactician is likely to partner Bent with either Crouch or Davies if Rooney does not recover in time.
Bent missed out on the World Cup in the summer as Capello overlooked the Sunderland star, despite his impressive goal tally last season, but the striker is expected to be handed his chance to shine for England in the build up to the European Championships.
Bent has been described as “one of the important players for the future” by Capello and after scoring against the Swiss last time out hecould be handed another chance on Tuesday.
Bent admits he was frustrated to miss out on the World Cup and is delighted to have finally been given the opportunity to impress on the international stage.
However, the Sunderland striker insists he is not thinking as far ahead as the tournament proper in 2012, or the World Cup in 2014, as he is concentrating on securing regular action for the national side (England 9/1 to win Euro 2012).
He added: “The next World Cup is too far ahead to have as a target, so I’m looking to cement my place in the England set-up, maybe get a few more goals, and generally give myself the chance of reaching the Euros (in 2012).
“I’d love to go to a tournament with England, but it’s probably best not to look too far into the future. Just try to do well in the next game and take it from there.”
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Arjen Robben will tell his Bayern Munich team-mates they must take whatever chances come their way in the Champions League final against Internazionale on Saturday (23/10 Bayern Munich 9/4 draw 6/5 Inter Milan).