DARREN BENT is ready for his 'audition' to prove he can fill Wayne Rooney's boots.

England boss Fabio Capello is desperate for a suitable understudy with Roo's X-factor to step in with his no.1 striker in limbo because of a three-game Euro 2012 finals ban.

Bent, 27, was ditched from the last two World Cup squads and is determined to prove he can handle it on the biggest stage.

Four goals in his last five internationals and six for Aston Villa this season means Saturday's friendly against world champions Spain will mark the end of a defining week for Bent.

He said: "It's a massive week for me. I'm up there with the best periods in my career just as we're playing Spain, the best team on the planet.

"I kind of knew this was going to be a big season for me. The year before big competitions it seems to have gone well for me but then it hasn't paid off. Hopefully it'll be different this time.

"I've never been at the World Cup and we didn't qualify for Euro 2008 but this is a big chance to show everyone what I'm about and I'm looking forward to it.

"I've never scored at Wembley and would be delighted to break that duck.

"It's a big blow for England Wayne Rooney not being there because you need your World Class players at the big tournaments.

It's unfortunate he won't ne there but if I'm selected I'll do everything I can to help.

"I'm not sure how England fans perceive me. They clearly see Wayne Rooney as the number one but after that it's a free for all. There's one of four players who can do his job.

"It depends on your form at the time. The fans have their views because they watch the games but at the end of the day only one person's opinion really matters and that's Fabio Capello's "I feel really confident at the moment. We started off a bit cagey at Aston villa at the start of the season but as we've settled in its' got better.

"It's like an audition to prove you can play against the tougher teams. It doesn't make me nervous, you just have to think of it as another game.

"At first I thought I had to prove myself more than other players. But now I feel more relaxed because it's the first time in my career that I've played four or five games on the bounce when I've been fit."

Bent has been an England player for five years and has an enviable scoring record at every one of his five clubs.

He has scored 46 Premier League goals since the start of the 2009 season.

Yet he has so far failed to convince fans that he should be an automatic choice for his country. Scoring against the world's best team at Wembley this weekend should do the trick.

Bent, 27, adds: "I know you have to be selfish as a player but it's not a case of me thinking 'Great, Rooney's not playing. You just have to concentrate on yourself.

"I'm playing as well as I ever have for England. The ball's going in the net and if I keep working hard and keep doing that and proving myself it should be ok.

"When I'm not scoring I'm miserable. I snap at a lot of things. I'm not as upbeat. I get really flat and down. It's hard to even watch football.

"When it's going well it's amazing, everything seems to flow. No striker on the planet could describe why it happens but it just does.

"Even sometimes when you're not having thre best of games things just drop to you. In Montenegro Ashley Young put the ball across for me and it all just fell so nicely and before you know it, it's in.

"I've run out at Wembley for England and in the Carling Cup final for Spurs. It's a fantastic feeling."

White Hart Lane is the only blot on the copybook in Bent's club career.

Bent spoke while filming Kasabian Football Gaming Live – where he competed on an Xperia PLAY against Kasabian front man Tom Meighan.

Bent said: "I didn't really play but I still take good memeories from there and it made me grow up as a person and a player.

"Looking back on it, a lot of people say 'you had Robbie Keane, Jermain Defoe and Dimitar Berbabtov in the squad, did you ever expect to play?

"Then I went to Sunderland and Villa and it's gone really well.

"It's behind me I've not even thought about it. If he gets the England job good luck to him and Sam Allardyce too if he does.

"I wish Harry all the best after his heart operation. We had the same problem with Gerard Houllier. IT was a real shame but you have to be hundred per cent right off the pitch first."