5 September 2005
Press Conference: Darren Bent

Darren Bent talks to the press ahead of England's two Group Six World Cup Qualifiers at home ot Austria and Poland.


Click here to read the full transcription from Darren's press briefing

Darren Bent says he is so confident right now that he is 'floating on air' - thanks to his positive mental attitude.

The Charlton striker is the most in-form forward in the country, having scored eight goals already this season. And that could make him a lethal weapon for the Three Lions this weekend against Austria.

It's hard to believe the former Ipswich man had never even played in the Premiership before this season, but if he is given the nod at Old Trafford he will use the same positive thinking that has got him so far so quickly.

He said: "It's all happened very fast but I've just tried to take it all in my stride. If you start thinking it's a massive step-up it becomes harder, even harder than it really is. I just take each game as it comes and try and do as well as I can.

"If I had gone into the Premiership thinking 'I can't do it' things wouldn't have gone so well. But because I have gone in positive and just thinking 'I can score goals' it's gone well and it's carried on for the first eight games.

"When I got into the Premiership they key was to score the first goal. So for me to score quite early against Sunderland, then get another one, gave me massive confidence.

"Then to get drafted into the England squad my confidence went sky high - and still is now. I've managed to score a few goals since then and at the moment I'm floating on air. The whole season has been really good."

Bent knows, however, that he has some serious competition for places in England's attack, even with Wayne Rooney suspended for this weekend's clash.

He said: "Obviously I've managed to score a few goals in the Premiership but the other players in the squad have been doing that for years so they deserve their chance as well. If I do get the opportunity to play on Saturday it would be brilliant and I will try and take it.

"But I'm new to the Premiership and new to the international set-up so I have to stay sharp, stay focused and keep doing well at Charlton if I want to stay in the squad. If I can do that then anything's possible."

In the meantime, England Head Coach Sven-Goran Eriksson will be hoping Bent can continue his amazing scoring spree.

"There's no secret," the striker insisted. "I just try to get in the right position. And if the chance comes I try and take it. I worked hard on my finishing at Ipswich right from the youth team up to the first team so it's paying dividends now."

Click here to read the full transcription from Darren's press briefing