Charlton Athletic Football Club News

• Nickname:The Addicks
• Founded:1905
• Manager:Chris Powell

• Ground:The Valley
• Capacity:27,111

Bent blow concerns Pardew

03 Jan 2007 - 09:21:28

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Charlton Athletic's hopes of beating the drop have been hit by the news that top scorer Darren Bent is unlikely to play again this month after straining knee ligaments in the weekend win against Aston Villa.

The England international missed Tuesday's 4-0 defeat at Arsenal but boss Alan Pardew has been boosted by the news that the striker does not need an operation.

"Darren Bent was injured quite early in the game against Aston Villa," the former Reading and West Ham United manager confirmed to the Addicks' official website.

"We didn't really think it was an issue until he went home that evening and had a reaction to that. The scans showed that his ligaments have been strained but that certainly doesn't mean an operation. But he is going to need a rest.

"It's not short-term and it's not like he's going to be back on Saturday. He's a doubt for Middlesbrough, he might be doubtful for the next two or three after that too.

"We cannot afford to lose a player of that calibre for too long. Next week will tell me how bad that injury is and how it's going to affect us."