Bruce lauds Black Cats hero Bent

Bent took his tally for the season to 21, 20 of them in the Premier League, with a quickfire double in the Black Cats' victory over Blues at the Stadium of Light on Saturday.The former Tottenham man, whose total fee is dependent on appearances and goals, eloquently stated his case once again for inclusion in England boss Fabio Capello's World Cup squad.Bruce said: "He has done fantastically for Sunderland and he is worth every penny."It just shows you that a bit of quality, playing every week, he has flourished with the chance we have given him. He has been terrific."Where would we be without him. But that's the difference."You pay £10million, £12million - he will probably end up costing us £14million or whatever it is, but that's the difference."It's the next step."Bruce was once again diplomatic when asked about Bent's chances of forcing his way into Capello's plans.He said: "He must have an outstanding chance because the one thing he has got is he is a natural goalscorer."We have got very good strikers, but he gets into the box and he gets it on to his left foot, you know, you say 'goal'."That's what he has done for us repeatedly, so he must have a chance."Whether he will go, who knows?"I haven't spoken to him, but come on, it's a World Cup - playing for England in a World Cup? He's got to be [desperate to go], I would have thought. But I haven't had a conversation with him."Sunderland looked to be cruising when Bent fired them 2-0 head inside the opening 11 minutes.He was first to react when strike-partner Benjani Mwaruwari's fifth-minute effort was blocked, firing confidently past keeper Joe Hart.But there was real quality about his second six minutes later when he collected Steed Malbranque's crossfield pass and cut inside Scott Dann before thumping a low drive past the keeper.However, City rallied and after Craig Gordon had tipped a Christian Benitez header on to the bar and blocked Cameron Jerome's effort with his leg, Jerome finally got there better of him on the hour to pull a goal back.Gordon made another fine save to claw away Liam Ridgewell's goalbound header and it took an 88th-minute strike from Fraizer Campbell to kill off the game and calm the frayed nerves inside the Stadium of Light.Birmingham boss Alex McLeish was hugely impressed with Bent.He said: "He's a handful. He is quick, he is exceptional, but you have got to hand it to him on his finishing because you can have all the speed in the world and not be a good finisher."Twenty-one goals is a fantastic return and he looks a real threat. But I feel my defenders will look at it and feel they made it too easy for him today."McLeish, who worked with Gordon during his time as Scotland manager, was also left to bemoan the £9million man's contribution.He said: "He was outstanding. He was every inch an international goalkeeper today."He made some fantastic saves, as did Joe Hart in the first half - Kieran Richardson could have had us dead and buried."If Sunderland has gone three up, it would have been hard for us, but at 2-0, you have always got a chance."

Source: Team_Talk