Sunderland players have rallied around Darren Bent after his penalty miss in defeat at Tottenham.

The Black Cats eventually lost 2-0 through goals from Robbie Keane and Tom Huddlestone.

"Obviously he's disappointed after coming back to his former club and missing a penalty, but Benty's scored important goals this season and we know he's a top player," Bardsley told safc.com.

"He'll have no problems bouncing back. He always plays with a smile on his face and it doesn't matter how many chances he misses, he always thinks he's going to score.

"That's what the top strikers do, and he is definitely one of them."