Jordan looks to Bent for goal tips
JORDAN Henderson has turned to Darren Bent in a bid to improve his goalscoring record.
The Sunderland and England Under-21 midfielder has just one Premier League goal to his name so far since breaking into the first team last season.
Henderson and his Wearside team-mate, Danny Welbeck, are expected to start again in England Under-21s' final European Championships qualifier against Lithuania at Colchester's Weston Community Homes Stadium tomorrow.
The pair played key roles in the Young Lions' 1-0 win in Portugal on Friday – Henderson getting a full 90 minutes and Welbeck having a goal controversially scrubbed off before being subbed on 84 minutes.
But at club level, both men will hope to learn from senior England international Bent.
Henderson said: "Benty's world- class. Most clubs have a main striker who leads the way with goals, but we can't leave it all up to him. We did a bit last season.
"I've loved playing in central midfield. The main job is to get hold of the ball and try to make a few chances for the likes of Benty, but it's a position where I should get a few goals.
"Benty's been absolutely great. I've stayed back after training a few times and we work together on shooting.
"He keeps it nice and simple, and really concentrates on getting efforts on target and making the keepers do the work.
"If I can pick up a bit of his experience then I'd love to bring more goals to the side.
"He knows his way round the box and knows the right time to arrive in the box, so I can learn loads from him."
Henderson is keeping more experienced men out of the Sunderland line-up again this season, but remains a humble student.
The Sunderland-born academy product recognises he is still on a steep learning curve.
"Midfield is possibly our strongest area – our most competitive area this season – so I know that I have to keep my head down and work harder than ever," he said.
"The gaffer put a lot of faith in me last season and that helped me improve, but I think you should always look to improve.
"I look at Bolo Zenden and his workrate and he's a great example for every young player.
"He's in his 30s now and he's played at some of the world's biggest clubs, but he's still got an brilliant attitude to games and training.
"I think the best players have that desire all the way through their careers and always want to get better."
* England Under-21s are guaranteed runners-up spot in Group 9 behind Greece and must hope to secure a place in the play-offs as one of the four best runners-up.
* Sunderland's new record signing Asamoah Gyan helped Ghana to a 3-0 win over Swaziland in Lombamba yesterday, while clubmate Ahmed Elmohamady played in Egypt's 1-1 draw with Sierra Leone in Cairo. Both matches were African Cup of Nations qualifiers.
Sunderland defender Paulo Da Silva played in Paraguay's 1-0 friendly defeat against Japan in Yokohama on Saturday.
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Weather for Jarrow
Thursday 24 May 2012
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