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Darren Bent considered quitting England after World Cup omission
Snub nearly persuaded striker to retire from international football
24 Jul 2010 18:46:00
by Gareth Lovell
Sunderland striker Darren Bent has admitted he considered international retirement after being left out of Fabio Capello's England World Cup squad.
The 26-year-old claimed the Italian's decision to name him in the provisional 30-man party was a "token gesture".
The former Tottenham Hotspur and Charlton Athletic forward told reporters: "I felt that I was taken to Austria as a token gesture."
Bent, who has scored 48 goals in the last two seasons, continued: "It was as though he [Capello] decided he had to take me because of the goals I'd scored.
"He took me to the training camp, gave me 45 minutes and because I didn't score two goals, that was it. It hurt. I can't deny that was how I felt.
"I had long conversations with my dad and my manager. I just felt I was only there to make up the numbers.
"I thought 'should I just call it a day with England and hang up my boots in international football?' I contemplated it.
"If I couldn't get in the squad after scoring so many goals in the Premier League that season...."
However, despite Bent's anger at not being selected for South Africa he is not prepared to give up on his international career just yet.
"You can't burn your bridges like that," he told The Journal.
"I hope it is going to be a meritocracy. A few people have said to me that I've jumped up the pecking order after what happened over there, but who knows?
"People are saying this is going to change and that is going to change, but how much can it?
"All I can do is keep going, keep believing in myself and keep scoring goals.
"I'm not going to give up on England because of what happened this summer.
"I'm going to keep working hard, keep playing well for Sunderland and keep knocking on that door. That's all I can do."
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The 26-year-old claimed the Italian's decision to name him in the provisional 30-man party was a "token gesture".
The former Tottenham Hotspur and Charlton Athletic forward told reporters: "I felt that I was taken to Austria as a token gesture."
Bent, who has scored 48 goals in the last two seasons, continued: "It was as though he [Capello] decided he had to take me because of the goals I'd scored.
"He took me to the training camp, gave me 45 minutes and because I didn't score two goals, that was it. It hurt. I can't deny that was how I felt.
"I had long conversations with my dad and my manager. I just felt I was only there to make up the numbers.
"I thought 'should I just call it a day with England and hang up my boots in international football?' I contemplated it.
"If I couldn't get in the squad after scoring so many goals in the Premier League that season...."
However, despite Bent's anger at not being selected for South Africa he is not prepared to give up on his international career just yet.
"You can't burn your bridges like that," he told The Journal.
"I hope it is going to be a meritocracy. A few people have said to me that I've jumped up the pecking order after what happened over there, but who knows?
"People are saying this is going to change and that is going to change, but how much can it?
"All I can do is keep going, keep believing in myself and keep scoring goals.
"I'm not going to give up on England because of what happened this summer.
"I'm going to keep working hard, keep playing well for Sunderland and keep knocking on that door. That's all I can do."
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provides the best breaking news online and our football fan community is unmatched worldwide. Never miss a thing again!| Sign up with 188BET for a FREE bet up to £25 – Great Prices, Every Game |
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| Sign up with bet365 for a free bet up to £200 |
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| Sign up with Paddy Power - Bet £10, Get £20! |
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