Bent should have joined us not Spurs, says West Ham boss Curbs

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The former Ipswich star made a £16.5m move from Charlton in the summer after rejecting an offer from the Hammers.

Mistake: Darren Bent (centre) would have done better to have joined West Ham said Curbishley

Curbishley could have done with the 23-year-old in recent weeks as a striker crisis has left Carlton Cole as the only fit forward.

Dean Ashton is set to return to the squad to face London rivals Spurs on Sunday, but Curbishley said: "In an ideal world you want four top strikers which is what Spurs have.

"Darren wanted to go to Spurs, he felt that was the right move for him, but he would have played regularly if he had come to West Ham.

"He is not used to missing out. He played every game at Ipswich and Charlton."

Jermaine Jenas is likely to start for the visitors and he is backing Paul Robinson to bounce back from his England heartache.

Robinson watched from the bench as replacement Scott Carson endured a shocking night at Wembley which ended in England's elimination from Euro 2008.

Robert Green, another England prospect, will be in goal for the hosts, but Jenas is confident Robinson will prove he is the top stopper in England.

"I'm confident he will bounce back on Sunday," said Jenas. "People have been looking at him most of the season so he's big and strong enough to deal with it. I'm sure he will be fine.

"He was disappointed to be left out, he wants to be involved like any other player. He's a top keeper and will definitely be fighting to get his place back."