Harry Redknapp, the Tottenham Hotspur manager, does not regret selling Darren Bent to Sunderland, despite the forward being the highest-scoring Englishman in the Barclays Premier League this season with eight goals.

Bent makes his first appearance at White Hart Lane tomorrow since he moved to the North East in August for £10million after he had failed to become a regular first-team player under Redknapp.

The former Charlton Athletic forward was Tottenham’s top scorer in the league last season with 12 goals, but Redknapp says it made financial sense to sell the England international.

“He scored goals for us and I had no problem with him,” Redknapp said. “I think our chairman [Daniel Levy] did a deal where it pushes up to £16million on appearances and goals, so it was a good deal for us and a good deal for Darren.

“He’s playing regularly for Sunderland and is becoming a big player in their team. He is now somewhere where he is able to play regularly and score goals and he’s shown what he can do. It will never haunt me, whatever he does at Sunderland.”

Redknapp believes that if Bent can continue his recent form then a place in Fabio Capello’s England squad is a possibility.

“What he has to do is let his football do the talking. He’s scoring goals so just get on with it. He has to keep scoring goals all year and get in the World Cup squad.”