Source: Daily_Mail
Buoyant Darren Bent craves a starting spot after opening his England scoring account
Darren Bent knows about the devastation of missing out on two England World Cupsquads after proving himself one of the country's most prolific goalscorers. [LNB]But, having scored his first international goal, it will still be a major blow if he is left on the bench on Tuesday against Montenegro. [LNB]'Yes, I would be disappointed if I don't start,' said the Sunderland striker. [LNB]'Everyone wants to play for their country but I can't take it as a gimme.'[LNB] Off the mark: Darren Bent opens his international account in Basel[LNB]Bent's chances of starting have seldom been better. Emile Heskey has retired, Jermain Defoe is injured and even Wayne Rooney has struggled for form and fitness.[LNB]Rooney, Kevin Davies and Peter Crouch the other strikers in Fabio Capello's squad have scored fewer goals combined in the Premier League this season than Bent's five. [LNB]But Bent concedes that Crouch's record for England of 21 goals in 40 games makes a good rival claim to start. [LNB]Moving in the right direction: Bent[LNB]Bent, who scored in the 3-1 Euro 2012 qualifying win against Switzerland last month, said: 'I am looking to become a regular after the first goal. [LNB]'Before that I couldn't think too far ahead but, hopefully, I can get a couple more and play more games. I can't remember the last time I was involved in two squads, so hopefully things are moving in the right direction. [LNB]'I think I could do a good job as long as I get the run of games. The goal gave me a lift.'[LNB]Bent's first England goal was an excellent left-foot strike after he made space for himself on the edge of the area. [LNB]'My first thought was 'something is going to go wrong, the linesman is going to put his flag up',' said the player who admits to lows after missing out on the 2006 and 2010 World Cups. 'But then it felt like I could breathe.' [LNB]Bent, 26, has seven England caps but his time on the pitch does not add up to three full matches. A goal every three games would be a decent ratio.[LNB] Darren Bent: One for the future? I'm ready to go NOW, striker tells CapelloNow watch him go! Sunderland boss Steve Bruce tips Darren Bent to go on England goal rushDavies revels in a sob story! Tears from veteran's wife after Capello call [LNB] Explore more:People: Wayne Rooney, Emile Heskey, Kevin Davies, Darren Bent, Jermain Defoe, Peter Crouch Places: Montenegro, United Kingdom, Switzerland
