Bent: sniping spurs us on

Marcus Bent is expected to be fit to lead Everton’s attack in their make-or-break Champions League clash, claiming they are inspired by the constant criticism the club has suffered this summer.

Bent, who scored the winner on Sunday at Bolton before picking up a knee injury, claims the Toffees love proving the doubters wrong.

The club faces a huge task on Wednesday in the Champions League third qualifying round second leg in Villarreal – they are 2-1 down from the first leg - but Bent believes they can beat the odds and qualify for the group stages.

Everton will be without full back Alessandro Pistone for the trip to Spain after he picked up a knee injury at the Reebok, but expect Simon Davies to be able to resume following a shin problem that kept him on the bench for the 1-0 win at Bolton.

But it is the constant abuse Everton are suffering that Bent believes will be their inspiration.

He said: “It does not bother us and if people want to write us off that is up to them. We are working hard for ourselves, our club and our manager to try to achieve what we did last season.

“People were writing us off last season and look what happened then, so let them carry on. The stick we get inspires us.”

Bent accepts his goal against Bolton could be the boost Everton need to kickstart their domestic season.

He said: “It was very important. We lost the first game against Manchester United and we needed to start stacking points up – not that we are in a bad situation – but the sooner we get points the better.

“Bolton are a tough side, especially at home. They have a lot of big players, a lot of physical players and quality as well, so we are pleased to get three points.

Bent said of his injured knee: “It is quite sore at the moment but not as bad as we first thought. We are going to assess it at training and see where we go from there.”