Spurs star Bent not seeking easy passage to final

Published on Thursday 4 December 2008 22:57

TOTTENHAM Hotspur striker Darren Bent suffered Carling Cup agony nine months ago – but he is not after an easy draw in this season's semi-final to get back to Wembley.

Bent, an unused substitute when Spurs beat Chelsea to lift the trophy in February, sees no point in wanting to avoid Manchester United in the last four this time around.

Burnley or Derby represent easier passages to the final, but Bent does not mind who Spurs get when the draw is made on Saturday.

The 24-year-old said: "We beat Chelsea in the final last year, so there is no reason we can't beat United if we get them.

"We're not looking to avoid anyone. We might as well face them head on, because if we didn't get them in the next round, we would probably get them in the final if we reached it.

"Manchester United are a fantastic side, but if we have to face them in the semis, we know what we need to do and we need to perform."

Bent was dropped from the starting XI for the quarter-final at Watford this week after manager Harry Redknapp saw a dip in work-rate from the striker, who struggled to build on a glut of seven goals in five games.

Redknapp brought the former Charlton striker off the bench at Vicarage Road and he scored the winner in the 2-1 win, his 12th goal of the season.

"It was more about not staying out for another half an hour in the freezing cold," Bent joked. "The team played well, we created chances and got the result. It is massive, the Carling Cup is another bit of silverware for us."

Bent arguably performs better as a lone striker with Luka Modric supporting in a free role – but the Croatia midfielder has been out for two weeks with a groin problem.

Modric is set to rejoin full training and Redknapp will make an assessment of his fitness over the weekend, with the Spurs manager keen for the 23-year-old to feature against West Ham on Monday at Upton Park.

"I'd like to get him fit because he gives us a different option," Redknapp said. "He plays in that hole and is clever. He can knit the game together for you."

Skipper Ledley King could also return after resting his knee for the win over Watford.