Charlton Athletic Football Club

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

• Ground:The Valley
• Capacity:27111

Reed rejects Bent rumour

15 Dec 2006 - 13:13:22

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Charlton Athletic boss Les Reed has played down rumours linking striker Darren Bent with a move to West Ham United.

The Addicks' nine-goal striker has been linked with a move to Upton Park where he would be reunited with former Charlton boss Alan Curbishley, who took the Hammers helm earlier in the week.

Curbishley was responsible for bringing Bent to the Premiership in a £2.5illion transfer from Ipswich Town in 2005, but the England striker will be staying at The Valley, according to Reed.

"For the moment it's pure speculation and I expected that to happen," Reed told Sky Sports News.

"Alan was managing Darren Bent last season so that speculation is bound to happen, but there's been no approach and we don't intend to sell Darren in January.

"If I was in Alan's shoes, and I thought there was a possibility of getting Darren, I'd probably do it.

"We're both professionals and he's got to do what he can to get his team out of relegation trouble, so I wouldn't blame him for trying to sign Darren.

"But I've already sent him a text to say 'hands off', so hopefully he'll heed that."