Sunderland FC

• Founded:1879
• Manager:Steve Bruce

• Ground:Stadium Of Light
• Capacity:49000

Next Game: 18-Feb-2012 17:15

Sunderland

VS

Arsenal

Full match preview

Last Game: 11-Feb-2012 15:00

Sunderland1

VS

Arsenal2

Full match report

Competing in:

• Premier League
• League Cup
• FA CUP

Bent makes plea to Capello

24 May 2010 - 10:31:20

Click To Enlarge

Sunderland striker Darren Bent has urged England coach Fabio Capello to give him the chance to shine on the World Cup stage.

Bent is one of five frontmen named by the Italian in his 30-man provisional squad following his impressive domestic season.

The 26-year-old bagged 25 goals following his move from Tottenham last summer but faces competition from the likes of Wayne Rooney, Emile Heskey, Jermain Defoe and Peter Crouch to make the final 23-man squad.

Bent has previously failed to make the cut for a final World Cup squad under Sven-Goran Eriksson in 2006.

"If I go there and am given the opportunity to play games and train and be in that environment, I am a firm believer that I can do it on that stage," he said.

"It would just top off a fantastic season for me, to go to the World Cup and play in probably the best sporting event in the world.

"If I could, it would be the greatest achievement of my life."

Speaking about his omission four years ago, he added: "Yes it was disappointing and it hurt like hell, but I am a stronger person this time around and if I was to miss out, I will know how to deal with it.

"I have dealt with it before and if I get the phone call and he says I'm not going, yes, I will be disappointed and upset, but I will just go on holiday and watch the World Cup from wherever I am in the world and then get on with it next season."