DARREN BENT has been told to expect a warm reception from the Sunderland dressing room on Saturday - even if he is given a torrid time by the Stadium of Light crowd.

The Aston Villa striker has geared up for his first return to Wearside since his £24m switch in January by reiterating that the move was not about money.

Despite the abuse he has received in the aftermath of his departure, he has also outlined an intention to be mindful of the supporters that once worshipped him if he does score this weekend.

In many respects Sunderland have struggled to recover from the day Bent pushed through the transfer to Villa - just 48 hours after performing poorly in the 1-1 draw with neighbours Newcastle United.

Shortly after that performance he handed in a transfer request, which sparked the mess which ended with manager Steve Bruce claiming his star striker had also tried to engineer a move to Turkey the previous summer.

Regardless of the reception he may receive, though, one of his former team-mates has insisted that Bent will always be fondly remembered among the members of the squad who are still around.

"Darren might get stick - he'll be expecting it too," said midfielder Jack Colback. "Personally, I thought he was great up here, he was easy to get along with, the players liked him and he did very well for us.

"It was unfortunate how it all panned out and how it ended but as a club I think we've moved on since then. He's moved on, we have and we won't worry about him.

"There's no hard feelings for him moving on from the lads. It was his choice to move on, you don't know the reasons behind it. We wish him all the best and I hope he does well for England but with the greatest respect I hope he's on the losing team on Saturday.

"It's one of those things - you don't fall out with someone because they leave. You don't know the reasons why and I respect him as a player and a former team-mate. It's all over now, we just want Sunderland to do well."

Colback was speaking after Bent had tried, just days before his journey back to the North-East with the Villans, to describe his reasons for leaving Sunderland.

Bent, who scored 32 in 58 league appearances for Sunderland, told The Times: "There was an offer of £24m on the table - it gave Sunderland a lot of money - and there were already several England internationals in the Villa squad. I saw it as a chance to go there, play with those guys, build up a rapport, get back into the England squad and stay there.

"I know that Sunderland fans cared for me and treated me like one of their own - I felt like one - so I understand why it looked like a betrayal, but in my eyes it wasn't that."

Bent went on to insist that because of his "fantastic" 18 months at the club, he "wouldn't celebrate" if he scored. Sunderland's squad, however, have more pressing concerns, which are centred on how to overcome Villa overall.

There has been a positive atmosphere within the Sunderland camp this week on the back of Saturday's 2-0 win at Bolton, which was the second victory of the season for the Black Cats.

Now Bruce must ensure they build on that before the trip to Manchester United the following week.

Colback said: "The win was well overdue. I've said when I've been asked that it was only a matter of time before we hit form and beat someone. We'll see the real Sunderland now. The pressure of looking for that win was there so now that's off, hopefully we can play a bit."

The success at Bolton also ensured the pressure on Bruce has eased. Colback added: "The win was for the manager in some ways. He's getting pressure from all over the place which, I think, is unwelcome and unfair. He took us to tenth last year which people shouldn't forget.

"It's football though - if you don't win your first couple of games then you're going to be under pressure. That's how it goes - that's how football is now. It was great for him and great for the team."

* Sunderland's home fixture with Norwich City will kick-off at the later time of 8pm on Tuesday, January 31, after being selected for live broadcast by Sky Sports.