Keane is gone, but Bent relishes goalscoring challenge

THE KEANE may be gone, but Darren Bent seems determined to become King of White Hart Lane after extending his pre-season goalscoring exploits in the Feyenoord Jubilee Tournament at the weekend. The Spurs striker had been linked to Sunderland in the summer

THE KEANE may be gone, but Darren Bent seems determined to become King of White Hart Lane after extending his pre-season goalscoring exploits in the Feyenoord Jubilee Tournament at the weekend.

The Spurs striker had been linked to Sunderland in the summer, but while several Lilywhites have joined Roy Keane's black cats, the £20 million transfer of Robbie Keane to Liverpool seems to have inspired Bent, who had a disappointing first season in Tottenham's colours after being signed for a then club record of £16.5 million from Charlton.

Yesterday he took his goal tally to 10 in just five games as Tottenham won the Dutch tournament at a canter, beating Borussia Dortmund 3-0.

The next continental opponents for Tottenham are Roma, who visit White Hart Lane on Sunday and if Bent continues in his rich vein of scoring form, he is almost certain to lead the attack for the first Premiership games of the season against Middlesbrough (away on August 16) and Sunderland, who visit the Lane with their rapidly-growing ex-Spurs contingent the following Saturday.

Bent's scoring exploits are also bound to attract the attention of new England manager Fabio Capello, so the former Charlton striker has everything to play for this season.

The Feyenoord tournament was also notable for an exciting return by Gareth Bale, another of last season's summer signings who spent most of his time out of the team but for very different reasons - a troublesome foot injury kept him out of contention - and a debut goal from David Bentley against Celtic.