Bent's wincy World Cup Fear

Running scared ... England ace Darren Bent

STRIKER Darren Bent is in a spin over the World Cup being held in spider-infested South Africa - because he is terrified of them.

The England ace was last night said to be considering hypnotherapy to combat his crippling arachnophobia.

Bent, 25, admitted: "I can't stand spiders. They are so creepy." He told a soccer magazine: "I don't hate animals or anything - I used to have a pet snake as a child.

"But don't get me started on spiders - they terrify me."

Best not look at these deadly examples then, Darren...

South Africa is home to a host of poisonous creepy-crawlies, including the DEADLY button spider.

But Bent remains determined to overcome his phobia if he is picked by Fabio Capello to jet out with next summer's England squad.

A source close to the £16million Sunderland goal ace said: "Darren will do whatever it takes to get to the World Cup. If that includes hypnotherapy to get over his fear of spiders he'll do it."

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