Sunderland manager Steve Bruce has slammed Fabio Capello after Darren Bent claimed the England coach told him his decision to leave the Black Cats had boosted his international prospects.

Bent made a surprise £24 million transfer from Sunderland to Aston Villa last month and the striker has been in fine form since, scoring his second England goal in Wednesday’s 2-1 friendly victory in Denmark.

The 27-year-old later revealed Capello had told him the switch to Villa had helped his England chances and that claim has not gone down well with Bruce.

“That’s a frustration for us all and it is hugely disrespectful if he has said those sort of things,” Bruce said.

“Darren Bent scored 24 Premier League goals for us and played an unbelievable season, and yet didn’t go to the World Cup, so I find that a harsh statement.

“The big problem with all of that is the geography of where we are. It’s very difficult to come and watch any people at Sunderland, especially on their own patch.

“It doesn’t happen very often. Usually managers of international teams are watching us away from home, and sometimes that’s a bit difficult for the players as much as anything else.”