EWOOD hot-shot Marcus Bent today vowed to win back his first team place after pledging his future to Rovers' Premiership campaign.

The former Sheffield United striker is still waiting for his first Premiership start after being overlooked in favour of Matt Jansen and Ciccio Grabbi for the opening three games of the new season.

However, the 23-year-old frontman has no intention of seeking showdown talks with manager Graeme Souness about his future, despite speculation linking him with a posse of clubs over the summer.

And, after coming through his first full 90 minutes of the season in the reserveslast night, he's now ready to stake a claim for a start at Sunderland in 10 days time.

"This is a situation I've been in before but, when my chance comes along, it's up to me to take it," said Bent.

"It's a dream come true for me that I've got into the Premiership with a team I'm happy and comfortable with so I'm not going to throw that away for anything.

"As soon as I get my chance I'm going to grab it with both hands.

"We've got a big squad and the competition for striking places is pretty fierce, even in the reserves.

"But if I wasn't part of the manager's plans then he wouldn't have signed me last season or kept me involved for the first part of this.

"So I'll keep plugging away and, hopefully, I can make an impression because things can change very quickly in this game.

"I'm not wishing an injury or anything on anyone else but if I do get in then I've got to be fit and ready to meet the challenge."

Bent looked sharp last night as Rovers reserves lost 1-0 to Newcastle in controversial circumstances at Morecambe's Christie Park.

But, after his pre-season was interrupted by injury, he was just happy to get a full game under his belt.

"I didn't really have a full pre-season so it was just good to get a full 90 minutes in," said Bent.

"I need match fitness and I need to play in order to get my sharpness back so, hopefully, this will help."

A posse of scouts were in attendance at Morecambe last night to run the rule over some of the players on the fringes of the first team squad.

Representatives from Wycombe Wanderers were believed to be watching Marlon Broomes while Stockport County were again having a look at Simon Grayson.