Sunderland midfielder Kieran Richardson feels manager Steve Bruce has spent Darren Bent's transfer fee wisely.

Richardson praised Connor Wickham's attitude, claiming Sunderland have more goalscoring options since Bent's departure to Aston Villa.

"He is very positive," he said. "He has everything. As long as he keeps his head down and listens to the manager I'm sure he will progress.

"Bendtner and Connor give us something different, they are totally different players to Benty. Last season it was more Benty scoring all of the goals, this season everyone is chipping in and that's great for the confidence."