Source: Northern_Echo
Bent is backing Campbell to shine
SUNDERLAND striker Darren Bent is tipping youngster Fraizer Campbell to plug the gap left by Kenwyne Jones' departure from the Stadium of Light.[LNB] Manager Steve Bruce is assessing his options after allowing Trinidad and Tobago international Jones to make an £8million switch to Stoke, and has since been linked with Ghana international Asamoah Gyan and England counterpart Peter Crouch among others.[LNB] However, while there is money to spend, Bent is confident Campbell could save the club millions.[LNB] Asked about the prospect of a big-name striker joining the Black Cats before the transfer window closes, the 26-year-old said: If it happens, it happens.[LNB] If not, then I am more than happy playing alongside Fraizer because he has come back and knocked in a lot of goals in pre-season and he looks ready now.[LNB] In his own mind, he is ready to play week in, week out.'' The two started Saturday's 2-2 Premier League draw with Birmingham in tandem, a matter of days after Jones headed for the Potteries, much to the surprise of the man he partnered for much of last season.[LNB] Bent said: It came out of the blue that Kenwyne was going Kenwyne didn't even say anything himself about what was going on.[LNB] But the gaffer is going to make his decisions, he is going to do what he feels is best for the football club and he felt that was to let Kenwyne go.[LNB] But it frees up options now for others and Fraizer is going to come in and take his chance now he played really well on Saturday and Danny Welbeck is there waiting and so is Martyn Waghorn.[LNB] We all know we need to be firing and it frees up some space for someone else to take their chance.'' Bent has set his sights on erasing his World Cup misery by playing a major role in England's bid to reach the finals of Euro 2012.[LNB] He missed out on the final 23 who went to South Africa.[LNB] Bent was forced to withdraw from the squad for last week's friendly with Hungary because of a back injury, but he will make it his mission to be fit for next month's qualifiers against Bulgaria and Switzerland after Fabio Capello indicated he has a future at international level.[LNB] He said: I saw him (Capello) at the last squad and when I had to pull out, he said it was unfortunate, but he told me to keep working hard and more opportunities would come, and hopefully they will.[LNB] There's a qualifier coming up and if I can keep knocking them in for Sunderland again and playing well, there is no reason why I can't be in that squad.''[LNB]
