Bruce: Darren Bent could be Cats legend

Feb 21 2010 by James Hunter, Sunday Sun

STEVE BRUCE believes Sunderland have finally found a striker in Darren Bent worthy of inheriting the mantle of goalscoring great Kevin Phillips.

Bent has already hit 15 goals this term and Bruce is backing his £10m club-record buy to reach the landmark of 20 before the season is out.

Bent’s tally already makes him Sunderland’s most prolific striker in the top flight since Phillips - the club’s record post-war goalscorer - won the European Golden Shoe with 30 Premier League goals a decade ago.

“I’m quietly confident he’ll get 20.

“With 12 games left, seven of them at home, if I were a betting man I wouldn’t bet against him.

“When we signed Benty, I said I would be delighted if he scored between 15 and 20 goals this season and he has hit 15 already with another 12 games to go.

“Knowing Darren, I would expect him to be pushing hard to get to 20 now.