Bruce backs Bent for England role; SUNDERLAND 1 ARSENAL 0.

SUNDERLAND boss Steve Bruce backed Darren Bent's claims on a place in England'sWorld Cup squad after seeing him fire Arsenal to their first defeat in 14 games.

Bent's 71st-minute strike, his ninth goal of the season, put paid to the Gunners' hopes on Wearside as the Black Cats prevented them from scoring for the first time this season.

It was the perfect response after his disappointing show in England's friendly defeat by Brazil in Doha last week, and left his manager championing his cause to national coach Fabio Capello once again.

Unbelievable Asked if he would take Bent to South Africa if he were England manager, Bruce replied: "Absolutely, 100 per cent.

"If there is a better one than him...we all know (Wayne) Rooney. But it's not just his goalscoring, his appetite and his workrate are absolutely unbelievable.

"He played on his own today and ran a million miles for the team.

"I don't think he is going to be judged on a 55-minute friendly in Qatar.

"I would have thought he will pick a team that's in form, and when you have got an outstanding goalscorer, as Darren is... that shows what type of person he is. His overall work-rate and attitude after what has been a difficult couple of weeks for him, missing (a penalty) at Tottenham and then the England debacle.

"But he has bounced back the way he should."

Sunderland drew Arsenal's sting and then made the most of their big chance when it came.

Bent got his head to Andy Reid's corner, but could only direct the ball against the legs of team-mate Fraizer Campbell.

However, the England international reacted quickest of all when the rebound fell into his path to blast the ball past keeper Manuel Almunia.

Defeat left the Gunners eight points adrift of Barclays Premier League leaders Chelsea, and manager Arsene Wenger admitted they had only themselves to blame.

He said: "We can only fault ourselves because we didn't score. Some players were not at their best."