Thursday 8 January 2015 16:48, UK
Darren Bent insists he has no room for sentiment as he prepares to make his debut for Derby against his boyhood club Ipswich.
Aston Villa striker Bent, who last week joined the Rams on loan for the remainder of the season, began his career at Ipswich and on Saturday will make his first return to Portman Road as an opposition player since leaving nine-and-a-half years ago.
After coming through the youth ranks with the Suffolk club, Bent made his name with the Tractor Boys, scoring 56 goals in 146 appearances, before leaving for Charlton in the summer of 2005.
However, the 30-year-old is in no doubt about where his loyalties lie as he looks to begin to repay the faith shown in him by Derby head coach Steve McClaren.
"I started off as a schoolboy at Ipswich, made my way up through the ranks and made it to the first team," said Bent.
"I have some great memories from my time there. They gave me the platform to go and make a career out of the game. I have some great friends down there and it will be nice to see some old faces on Saturday.
"I have only played against them once since I have left. It was an FA Cup game for Aston Villa at Villa Park. I have only ever been back to Ipswich to watch them and see how the boys have been getting on.
"So it is going to be nice to go back, but I am a Derby player now and there will be no split loyalties. I want the three points to come back with us.
"I have scored on my debut for a few clubs and I would love to do the same again. It would be a good way to start my time here at Derby and repay some of the faith the club has shown in me.
"I have been given some security, but I want to repay the faith that Steve has shown in me by bringing me here."
Third-placed Derby head to Portman Road a place and two points behind Ipswich in the Sky Bet Championship table.
Victory for the Rams in the 12.15pm kick-off would see them leapfrog their opponents and move level on points, for a few hours at least, with league leaders Bournemouth.
Bent said: "It's a massive game - a top-of-the-table clash. They are flying and we are flying, so it should be a fantastic match.
"It is always a hard place to go - I know that from being there. Teams don't like going there. But the way Derby play, there's no reason we can't go there and get a result."
