Bruce explains Bent absence

Star forward Darren Bent has been given an extended holiday due to his stay in England’s pre-World Cup training camp, Sunderland boss Steve Bruce has explained.

The former Tottenham striker was absent from the squad which beat a Munster XI 2-1 at Thomond Park last night.

“Darren Bent and the two boys who play for Paraguay, I’ve given them extra time because of the World Cup,” said Bruce.

“To be fair, Darren went to the World Cup training squad camp with England, so I gave him another few days off.”

Bent, who 25 goals in 40 appearances in all competitions for Sunderland last season, did not make the final England squad of 23 which ended up performing poorly in South Africa.

Bruce believes that this setback will only spur Bent on to achieve more in the upcoming season, however.

“He thrives in adversity,” said the Sunderland manager. “When people knock him and doubt him, then he usually comes back firing.”