MIDFIELDER Danny Murphy believes team-mate Darren Bent’s England chances are being held back because he plays for Charlton.

Bent was an unused susbstitute during England’s 1-0 World Cup Qualifying win over Austria on Saturday. But Murphy claims that he would be in the starting line-up if he played for one of the bigger Premiership clubs.

Murphy said: "If you are playing for the bigger clubs, it is going to benefit you because you are playing in more high-pressure games, which means you are performing at a higher level, and generally you are playing in European football as well.

"I have no doubt that if Darren Bent was in Liverpool’s team now, he would be in the England team. He has fantastic pace and his runs are really clever.

"There is no doubt about him in my mind. I think he can step up. He has an impressive record for the England Under-21s and that’s as near as you will get to real international football."

Murphy has played down his own chances of a return to the England fold, but his form for the Addicks has won him much praise this season, most notably from England boss Sven-Goran Eriksson's number two Tord Grip.

Murphy added: "If I keep performing the way I am I might get another chance but I don’t really think about it too much because it can affect you."

Defender Luke Young started again for England against Austria in place of the injured Gary Neville. Young enjoyed a good game down the right flank and got forward well to support the attack.