Steve Bruce not surprised by Darren Bent England ommission

Oct 9 2009 The Journal

“If (David) Dunn’s stands against Arsenal on Sunday, then surely the panel’s got to give him it,” he argued. “And if he’d taken the penalty (against Wolves) like he should have done, he’d be top goalscorer in the Premier League, which is a fantastic return.

“That’s obviously what we’ve brought him here for but when you do spend a lot of money like we have done, of course you want him to hit the ground running.

“It’s not just his goalscoring but his appetite to work.

“He’s run over 12.5km during a game, which is a staggering achievement.

“He’s also a goalscorer and brings a work ethic from the front two, which is important.

“When you start comparing him in the same breath as Torres and (Emmanuel) Adebayor and all these top strikers, he’s up there with them.

“For a Sunderland centre-forward to be up there with them and to have Kenwyne (Jones) coming up behind like a steam train, it bodes well.

“But we can’t get carried away. We’re doing okay and Darren’s doing okay, I hope that continues.”

Bruce also confirmed he is considering improving his squad with the addition of former Middlesbrough midfielder Boudewijn Zenden.

The 33-year-old is on trial after being released by Marseilles last season, allowing Sunderland to sign the former European Cup winner outside of the transfer window.

“I got a call from Bolo a little while ago and he said he was without a club so I invited him down to train,” Bruce confirmed.

“He’s had a great career at some huge clubs and when an opportunity comes to look at someone with that background then you take it.

“He looks in very good nick, considering he has not had a club. He has been training in Holland and has obviously looked after himself very well.”

Zenden also played for Holland, PSV Eindhoven, Barcelona, Chelsea and Liverpool.

Striker David Connolly yesterday joined Southampton until the end of the season after being released by the Black Cats in the summer.