Source: Northern_Echo
Bruce fears interest in Bent could mount
STEVE BRUCE fears Wayne Rooney's desire to move away from Manchester United could lead to a sudden burst of interest in his star striker, Darren Bent.[LNB] A Rooney transfer to one of Europe's top teams would automatically lead to a transfer merry-go-round.[LNB] And while Bent is unlikely to be on the radar of Sir Alex Ferguson, his outstanding form on Wearside would make him a viable target for clubs chasing a Champions League spot.[LNB] However, while admitting that Rooney's demands are again proving it is the players with the power in modern football, Bruce claims he would fight any offer for Bent's services.[LNB] When you see the records and goal scoring charts Benty is always up there. Rooney, Drogba, Bent. I hope nothing will happen, he said.[LNB] That is a problem all managers face from time to time.[LNB] It is the nature of football. I faced it at Wigan a few times when I had Antonio Valencia and Wilson Palacios, I knew they were going. It is always a worry.[LNB] At Sunderland we can turn everything down but silly money. For us to part with Benty... bloody hell, it is something we won't even entertain.[LNB] The topic turned to Bent after he was asked to comment on Rooney's ongoing dispute with Manchester United and Ferguson.[LNB] Bruce, who worked under Ferguson during the club's glorious 90s era, thinks the situation is another indication of just how much football has changed.[LNB] You can tell players under contract that they have to stay, you can go down that route, but how many times have we seen it, he said.[LNB] We are talking hypothetically here but players have downed tools. It is not a healthy one but that is football.[LNB] It is the unfortunate side of football and if it comes you deal with it.[LNB] He added: Just shows you that the best manager in the world at one of the biggest clubs in the world can still have problems of the type that we all face.[LNB] It is not for me to question Wayne Rooney but I have had the benefit of playing there for a long spell and the thing I find strange anyone questioning their ambition. I find that unbelievable.[LNB] I played there for ten years.[LNB] And they have always strived to win things. I remember in 1995 when Kanchelskis and Hughes left and we all scratched our heads and thought wow, what's this[LNB] The Beckham, Scholes, Nevilles, Butt, came in a formed a dynasty for the next ten years which hauled in trophy after trophy so I would never question their ambition.[LNB] United is no longer Bruce's concern and he is satisfied that Bent has overcome the niggling groin problem which forced him out of England's World Cup qualifier with Montenegro.[LNB] He returned to action in the goalless draw with Blackburn on Monday and will start against Aston Villa tomorrow.[LNB] That, though, has not stopped Bruce from expressing his concern to the England medical staff.[LNB] He has been away three times with England and got injured. This is a player who we have had for 18 months and he has not been injured here, said Bruce.[LNB] It wasn't sinister, I just wanted to know if he was doing anything different while with England. Nothing was solved, but it is just interesting.[LNB] Kieran Richardson may miss Villa's trip to the Stadium of Light and he will be given a fitness test today.[LNB] Andy Reid remains sidelined with the hamstring problem he sustained in training last weekend.[LNB] Millwall manager Kenny Jackett, meanwhile, has denied claims that Liam Trotter could be on his way to Sunderland.[LNB] I wouldn't welcome any move and we are not under any pressure to sell any of our players. I've had no contact from Sunderland.[LNB]
