DARREN BENT is nicknamed the 'Mailman' by Randy Lerner — and now the striker is sure he can deliver for England at Euro 2012.

The Aston Villa hitman may be Fabio Capello's leading man for next summer's tournament following Wayne Rooney's three-game ban.

And Bent, who netted his fourth goal in five internationals against Montenegro, cannot wait to put his stamp on Euro 2012.

He said: "If I've done well in games and after England games Mr Lerner will text me and say congratulations. That's the kind of chairman he is.

"He calls me 'The Mailman' after NBA basketball star Karl Malone because apparently he always delivered."

Malone, now retired, is the second-highest points scorer in NBA history after 18 seasons with Utah Jazz. Bent has hit 11 Villa goals in 22 Premier League games and is finally making his mark on the international stage.

The former Sunderland man is now the 5-1 favourite to be top scorer for his country at next year's tournament.

Asked if Bent can fill Rooney's boots, Villa boss Alex McLeish said: "Yes, sure. He is a great finisher and he has a lot of other aspects to his game as well.

"Maybe because of the system played with one up front over the last year people haven't seen the other parts to his game.

"But I've been impressed by Bent's overall play. I used to think he was just a last-third man but there is a lot more to his game. He is not a target man as such but he is decent in the air and can hold things up.

"So he is a much better all-round player than he is given credit for."

Bent, 27, scored the winner on his debut against Manchester City last term following his £24million move from the Stadium of Light.

Ahead of the trip to the Etihad Stadium tomorrow, he revealed how chairman Lerner does more than pay his goal bonus.

Bent added: "I'm a big basketball fan and my team is the Cleveland Cavaliers.

"There have been some nice gestures from the chairman. I got back for pre-season and he had a load of signed stuff. Pictures, jerseys, jumpers and uniforms and stuff, it was quite nice."

Chelsea striker Daniel Sturridge is also desperate to fill in for Rooney at Euro 2012. The 22-year-old is uncapped but has been tipped for the seniors after three Premier League goals this season.

Sturridge said: "I'd love to get in there but I can't compare my play to this or that player. I'm hoping that I'm good enough.

"I do want an England cap. I just want to keep playing regularly for Chelsea and if England comes that will be great."

Blues team-mate Ashley Cole added: "I tell him every day he can be in the squad. He is the hardest player I play against in training.

"He should have been in the last squad and the one before that. If he keeps doing what he's doing he will be there no problem."

Stoke boss Tony Pulis believes his striker Peter Crouch can still cut it for England.

The former Tottenham striker has made an impressive start to his Potters career, scoring the equaliser to earn a draw with Manchester United and netting in the win against Besiktas in the Europa League.

The 30-year-old — who has scored 22 goals in 42 caps — was quoted this week as saying he felt his international days were over, having not featured for England in 11 months.

But Pulis insisted: "I think Peter's record in Europe is fantastic. He needs to do well for us, he needs to score goals.

"We need to do well for him as well and I think, if we both marry that together, Peter's still got a great chance of playing for England again.

"I wouldn't give up yet if I was Peter."