SUNDERLAND striker Darren Bent's chances of heading to the World Cup have improved after his inclusion in a provisional 30-man squad for this summer's finals.

Bent's 25 goals this season have seen him named among a group of five strikers, ahead of the likes of Bobby Zamora, Carlton Cole and Gabriel Agbonlahor.

And while there has been a rapid rise on to the international scene for former Middlesbrough winger Adam Johnson, who only moved to Manchester City on February 1, there is summer heartache for Stewart Downing.

It appears that Downing, whose move to Aston Villa last summer was supposed to strengthen his claims, has actually been left out at the expense of his younger ex-Boro team-mate, Johnson.

England boss Fabio Capello has ignored calls for Owen Hargreaves to be mentioned, although there is a place for Liverpool's Jamie Carragher, who has come out of international retirement.

Former Newcastle midfielder Scott Parker has also been included after an impressive season with West Ham, while Joe Cole and Gareth Barry have been named despite suggestions neither would go to South Africa.

Goalkeepers Joe Hart, David James, Robert Green Defenders Leighton Baines, Jamie Carragher, Ashley Cole, Michael Dawson, Rio Ferdinand, Glen Johnson, Ledley King, John Terry, Matthew Upson, Stephen Warnock Midfielders Gareth Barry, Michael Carrick, Joe Cole, Steven Gerrard, Tom Huddlestone, Adam Johnson, Frank Lampard, Aaron Lennon, James Milner, Scott Parker, Theo Walcott, Shaun Wright-Phillips Forwards Darren Bent, Peter Crouch, Jermain Defoe, Emile Heskey, Wayne Rooney.