Striker Darren Bent seeks Sunderland top-half finish

Bent has netted 25 goals in his debut season for Sunderland

Sunderland striker Darren Bent is determined to help lead the club to a first top-half finish in the Premier League since the 2000-01 season.

Manchester United and Wolverhampton Wanderers stand in the way of the achievement, but Bent believes the club are capable of completing the task.

"To do it would be a dream," Bent told BBC Newcastle.

"If we play like we did against Liverpool or Spurs, there's no reason why we can't get something."

Meanwhile the England striker is also keen to end a fine season by writing his name in Wearside folklore at the Stadium of Light.

The 26-year-old has netted 25 goals in his debut season, and is aware of the legacy left by recent predecessors such as Kevin Phillips and Niall Quinn, not to mention notable forwards throughout the club's history such as Brian Clough, Dennis Tueart and Len Shackleton.

Bent, who has been named the club's player of the season, told BBC Newcastle: "I know how much goalscorers mean to people here, they've had some fantastic goalscorers.

"If I can keep tucking them away, I know how much it means to this club."

Bent joined Sunderland for a club record £11m in August 2009 from Tottenham Hotspur, having enjoyed success at Ipswich Town and Charlton Athletic prior to his time at White Hart Lane.