Source: Daily_Mail
Bent insists Brazil blank hasn't ruled him out of Capello's World Cup squad
Darren Bent believes his performance in England's friendly defeat to Brazil on Saturday was enough to remain in contention for World Cup selection.[LNB]The striker has been scoring goals for fun in the Premier League with Sunderland but did not get much of a chance to impress in front of goal for his country against Dunga's impressive outfit, toiling for 55 minutes before being substituted for Jermain Defoe.[LNB]But the former Spurs man insists he carried out his orders and played well enough to be considered for a place in Fabio Capello's future England squads. [LNB] Toil: Darren Bent (left) worked hard for England up front against Brazil[LNB]Bent told The Sun: 'It's been a while since I started. It's been about four years orsomething like that. So I was surprised but also delighted andhopefully there will be a few more of them.[LNB]'He (Capello) spoke to me before the game and when I came off and I think I did what was asked of me. [LNB]'I will take the positives from this game and from my Sunderlandform and take that forward and hopefully be available again forselection.'[LNB] Reserve: Bent was benched after 55 minutes for World Cup rival Jermain Defoe[LNB]Bent faces stiff competition from Peter Crouch, Defoe, Emile Heskey and possibly Michael Owen and Gabriel Agbonlahor for the right to join Wayne Rooney on the plane to South Africa, but could yet turn out to be Capello's wild card choice up front.[LNB] But he maintains that his goal-scoring form in the Premier League, where he already has eight so far this season, is the key to a World Cup berth. [LNB] All smiles: Bent shares a joke with Gilberto Silva [LNB]Bent said: 'I can't go back to Sunderland and stop scoring and let myform drop because I won't get selected for any of the friendlies.[LNB]'The main thing is for me to go back to Sunderland to keep working hard and make sure that I am not forgotten about. [LNB]'That's why club form is going to be so vital, especially for me anyway. I mean there are a lot of top quality strikers in England and I have to keep that Sunderland form going, keep my goal-scoring rate high and then I will give myself every possibility of going to South Africa.[LNB]'I must have a chance and there are chances for places (for strikers). It's obviously not like that for Wazza (Rooney) because he has been fantastic for such a long time now. But if I keep going and do my best then no-one can doubt me.'[LNB] Brazil 1 England 0: Fabio Capello's second-string outclassed in Qatar New dad Wayne Rooney proves a born leader for England in QatarGARY LINEKER: Qatar was a night for the England stars to missCurbishley calls on England boss Capello to pick Bent for World Cup Explore more:People:Michael Owen, Emile Heskey, Peter Crouch, Wayne Rooney, Fabio Capello, Jermain Defoe, Darren Bent, Gabriel Agbonlahor, Gilberto SilvaPlaces:Brazil, South Africa, United Kingdom
