Source: Daily_Mail
Sunderland boss Steve Bruce vows to keep hot shot Darren Bent
Sunderland boss Steve Bruce has issued a hands-off warning to Premier League giants planning to sniff around record signing Darren Bent.[LNB] The former Tottenham striker took his tally to 23 league goals since his £15 million switch from White Hart Lane in last week's 2-1 win over Burnley. [LNB] Eye for goal: Darren Bent celebrates scoring against former club Tottenham[LNB]And Bruce knows the England hopeful, who is on the fringe of a WorldCup call-up, could be on the radar of big clubs in the summer,particularly if Fernando Torres is successfully snapped up byManchester City.[LNB] But Bruce, who is still eyeing a top ten finish this season, has vowedto build a squad on Wearside not dismantle one, and he believes he cansee off Premier League predators to keep the popular 26-year-old at theStadium of Light.[LNB] Bruce said: 'He has been huge for us and the one thing we don't want todo is sell our best players. There is no authority above me saying Ihave to sell.[LNB] 'We need more Darren Bents. We need to look at his sort of ilk and find players of his calibre and quality.[LNB] 'It hasn't surprised me he scored 23 goals. In the back of my mind I'malways thinking the kid's always done it. He did it last year atTottenham coming off the bench near enough, he did it at Charlton and at Ipswich. He's always done it.[LNB] 'I know he is worth darn sight more than he was 12 months ago and this club's got the ability to resist.[LNB] 'In the past the club's I have been at before didn't resist. At Wiganwe sold Palacios, Valencia, Heskey. At Birmingham we sold when theoffer was big enough for Upson but I don't think that will happen hereunless we are talking ridiculous prices.[LNB] 'If it becomes the funny season and if it is Man City like whathappened with Lescott last summer maybe but I will do my utmost to hangon.'[LNB] Like Kevin Phillips before him, Bent has quickly won affection fromSunderland fans with his goals and Bruce is convinced the former Spursman has thoroughly enjoyed his spell on Wearside.[LNB] He added: 'He has enjoyed it immensely and Sunderland has been good forhim too, as it could be for a lot of players. It must be a great clubto come and play for.[LNB] 'He is extremely happy and not just because he is scoring goals. It wasthe record transfer, he is in community and he is very popular.[LNB] 'I was at a shop opening the other day and I must have asked 700 kidswho their favourite player was and 685 said Darren Bent. They love agoalscorer up here.'[LNB] Hull v SUNDERLAND: Skipper Lorik Cana set to return for Humberside tripTHE LIST: Sportsmail's 50 English flops of the season - The top 10[LNB] [LNB]
