Sunday, July 23, 2006
Bent admits World Cup frustration
Charlton striker Darren Bent has revealed his helplessness at having to watch on holiday while England endured problems in attack at the World Cup.
He was omitted from the squad and was a frustrated onlooker as injured Michael Owen's exit left England struggling.
"I thought Michael Owen's injury was unlucky," he told BBC Five Live Sport.
"But there is nothing we could do about it. There were several strikers left at home who were just watching and were helpless to do anything."
Bent scored 18 Premiership goals last season and was the highest-placed English striker in the top flight.
He and Tottenham's Jermain Defoe were surprisingly left out by the then England boss Sven-Goran Eriksson.
There is no reason why I can't get many more England caps while playing for Charlton
Darren Bent
Bent added: "A few of the boys texted me and told me I was unlucky and said I should have been there.
"A lot of the public were brilliant as well and said it was a disgrace how myself and Jermain were not in the squad.
"I just said I didn't do enough last year and hopefully next time around I will be able to."
Bent signed a new four-year contract with the Addicks this summer but may miss the start of the season after newspaper reports claimed he had sliced his finger when making a sandwich.
If that is the case, he would also be out of the running to make the England squad to face Greece in a friendly on 13 August - in what will be manager Steve McClaren's first game in charge of the national team.
Asked about whether he got on well with McClaren, Bent joked: "I thought I got on well with all of them but obviously that has changed.
"There is not a lot I can do about that but I'm just looking forward to the new season and I'm raring to go."
He also insisted being at Charlton would not hinder his England prospects.
"I got one cap last year and my team-mate Luke Young has got several," he said.
"Chris Powell, Paul Konchesky and Scott Parker all got England caps playing here so there is no reason why I can't get many more playing for the club."