Bent's big chance to step from shadows and dazzle McClaren

The £75,000-a-week on offer at Upton Park would have made him financially secure but the 23-year-old wanted more than just the money.

For him, it was important to further his football career at club and international level so he moved to Tottenham for £16.5million.

Imagine then, Bent's mood on Saturday as he was left out of the starting line-up for Spurs' opening match of the season at Sunderland. Angry? Upset? Annoyed? Not a bit of it.

Bent accepted the decision and showed a growing maturity that will be rewarded when he starts against Everton tonight.

"It is great to have competition for places because after a while you can become comfortable," said Bent as he reflected on his omission. "I don't see why I should go somewhere just because I am guaranteed to feature in every game."

The timing for Bent could not be more perfect because he will have the chance to prove he is worth a starting spot for club and country as Steve McClaren will be in the crowd at White Hart Lane.

McClaren is having to make new plans for England's friendly against Germany next week and the crucial European Championship qualifiers against Israel and Russia after Wayne Rooney's foot injury.

The news that Rooney is out of action for two months means that McClaren is looking for someone else to fill the striking role, something Bent is desperate to show he can do.

Michael Owen is on course to take one of the berths in the qualifiers, having proved his fitness in a reserve game for Newcastle last night and is looking to play against Aston Villa at the weekend.

But with Peter Crouch suspended for the game against Israel and Dean Ashton still looking short of match fitness after a year out of the game with an ankle injury, Bent's name is practically at the top of the list. It also helps that he is ahead of club team-mate Jermain Defoe in Jol's pecking order.

Bent's former manager at Ipswich Joe Royle, himself an England international, is convinced that the striker has the ability to make it on the biggest stage and sees a lot of similarities between him and another Spurs legend Gary Lineker.

"If I was Darren, I would sit myself down with an armful of Lineker DVDs and study them," said Royle.

"They have very similar attributes. People would say there wasn't a lot more to Lineker's game than scoring goals, which always made me smile because scoring goals is what the game is all about. He was probably the best in the game at getting behind defenders and finishing.

"Lineker's movement and desire and aggression to get on to the ball would be a great example for Darren to follow. All the attributes are there and there's no reason why he can't get to the level Lineker did."

Bent's oldest friend in football, Darren Ambrose, who progressed with him through the youth ranks at Ipswich and followed him to Charlton, is also in no doubt that he is ready for the challenge.

He said: "There are some important qualifiers coming up, but he will be able to handle the pressure of leading the line. He will also give England something they need, a player who can run in behind defences and compete physically. Martin Jol is a clever manager and knows that this is a good time for Darren to show what he can do."

Bent has experienced a whirlwind of emotions over the past few months with the exposure coming from his high-profile transfer across London.

Many raised an eyebrow over the transfer fee as it was £500,000 more than Barcelona paid Arsenal for Thierry Henry.

But then this is a striker who has already scored over 100 goals in his professional career, including nine for the England Under-21s.

Bent impressed in pre-season with five goals, but Jol preferred Dimitar Berbatov and Robbie Keane at the Stadium of Light.

He came on for the last 31 minutes, but he could not prevent a shock 1-0 defeat.

Ambrose added: "We are always in contact and I know he was gutted when he was left on the bench the other day. But he knew that it was going to be a challenge for him at Tottenham with so many top strikers at the club."

Bent won't be the only striker looking to impress McClaren tonight as Andy Johnson will be in the Everton side looking to repeat their 2-0 victory at Tottenham last year.

It could be a shoot-out between the England rivals, but Jol and Tottenham will be hoping they are the ones to benefit by Bent proving his point.

Sky Sports 2, 8pm, tonight.