Bruce offers Bent backing

Bent: Tough time

Sunderland boss Steve Bruce is confident Darren Bent will soon be back on the goal trail.

The Black Cats rely heavily on the England international to spearhead their attack, with his prolific strike-rate over recent seasons marking him out as their main man.

Unfortunately, the former Charlton and Tottenham hot-shot has gone five games without a goal and is stuck on nine for the season.

His confidence appears to have taken a battering, with a number of glorious opportunities wasted in Sunderland's 2-0 defeat to Blackpool on Tuesday.

Bent is, however, a proven Premier League frontman and his manager has no doubts the 26-year-old will come good if he continues to create chances.

Wonderful

Bruce said: "Darren Bent has had a wonderful 18 months for us. There are going to be times when a goalscorer goes through it, but as they say, class is permanent.

"He has missed a few chances, but the good thing for me is he kept getting in there and he kept getting the chances.

"Let's hope he gets the same amount on Saturday because if he does, I know for a fact he will finish two or three of them.

"Darren Bent has been a fantastic asset to us. He is going through one of those little periods. But five games without a goal is not a disaster, is it?"