Charlton striker Darren Bent has revealed a number of the England squad were disappointed he was overlooked for the World Cup.
Bent, who has just signed a new four-year deal at The Valley, was the leading English striker in the Barclays Premiership last season with 18 league goals.
But England manager Sven-Goran Eriksson decided to only take four strikers to Germany, including Wayne Rooney and Michael Owen who both lacked match-fitness and untested 17-year-old Theo Walcott.
Bent, Tottenham's Jermain Defoe and new Everton striker Andrew Johnson were left to watch the World Cup on television.
Bent was left with a horrible "helpless" feeling after Owen went down injured in the opening minute of England's 2-2 draw with Sweden.
With Walcott not featuring at all during the World Cup, Owen's injury left England with just two strikers.
"A few of the boys (in the England squad) texted me and said I was unlucky and I should have been there," said Bent.
"The public were coming up to me in the street and saying it's a joke and a disgrace how me and Jermain were not there.
"I said to them I obviously didn't do enough this year so next time around I'll be out to.
"I thought it was unlucky (when Owen went down injured). There were a number of strikers who were left at home, helpless to do anything."
Bent knew of the interest from clubs like Liverpool and Newcastle but insists he was never tempted to leave Charlton.
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