Charlton Athletic Football Club News

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

• Ground:The Valley
• Capacity:27,111

Fitness focus for Bent

09 Feb 2007 - 13:34:31

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Charlton Athletic striker Darren Bent says he never considered leaving the club in the January transfer window, with his focus solely on getting back to full fitness.

The 23-year-old England international is closing in on a return to action after a knee injury, having seen last month dominated by talk of his possible exit from The Valley.

However, a defiant Bent told the club's official website: "Obviously people were speculating here, there and everywhere, but it was never in my mind to leave.

"I knew that was the case the whole time, so I just forgot about it and concentrated on getting myself fit."

Meanwhile, Bent has targeted the relegation six-pointer with West Ham - the rumoured bidders for his services - as his target for an Addicks return.

He added: "The injury's not too bad; I trained for the first time on Thursday.

"I was originally told I would be out for six weeks, but I shot back quite quickly after just two weeks. But I had a bit of a setback, so we decided to slow it down.

"Now it's 100 per cent and I can't wait to get going. I've been told that West Ham is my target so I'm gearing myself up for that."