Sunderland manager Steve Bruce today hit back at suggestions Darren Bent's move to Aston Villa has aided the striker's England cause.
The 27-year-old former Tottenham player, who completed a £24million switch to Villa Park last month, scored his second senior international goal in Wednesday night's 2-1 victory over Denmark.
Bent later revealed that England coach Fabio Capello had told him pior to the friendly in Copenhagen that the transfer had helped his chances of winning a regular place in his squad.
His claims did not go down well with the Sunderland boss, who splashed out an initial £10m to take him to Wearside from White Hart Lane during the summer of 2009.
"That's a frustration for us all and it is hugely disrespectful if he has said those sort of things," said Bruce.
"Darren Bent scored 24 goals for us [in the Premier League] and he also played an unbelievable season yet he didn't go to the World Cup, so I find that a harsh statement.
"The big problem with all of that is the geography of where we are. It's very difficult to come and watch any people at Sunderland, especially on their own patch.
"It doesn't usually happen very often. Usually managers of international teams are watching us away from home and sometimes that's a bit difficult for the players as much as anything else."
