Darren Bent's former Charlton Athletic manager Alan Curbishley hopes the Sunderland striker gets a start for England today against Brazil.

Bent could make his first appearance for the Three Lions in a year after being called up for Saturday's friendly against Brazil.

The 25-year-old has been in top form this season and scored eight goals for the Black Cats in the Barclays Premier League.

And his former manager at Charlton, Curbishley, says he would have been surprised if Capello had not picked Bent for the clash with the Brazilians.

Curbishley told BBC Sport: ''I would take him to the World Cup for two reasons. Firstly, for his fitness levels - he's always top notch. And secondly, if you're not going to start him, then I think he will come on and change the dynamic of the game.

"He would bring something different to the squad because he wants to go behind defences and I don't see too many English strikers doing that. Jermain Defoe is probably the only other one.

"He's a very, very good finisher, but he's also good in the air, deceptively so. He gets his fair share of headed goals as well. As a squad member he's got to have a chance."