Charlton Athletic Football Club

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

• Ground:The Valley
• Capacity:27111

Reed warns off Bent bid

14 Dec 2006 - 17:04:56

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New West Ham United manager Alan Curbishley has been told to forget about launching a raid on former club Charlton Athletic for striker Darren Bent.

England ace Bent enjoyed success with the Addicks under Curbishley last term and has already netted nine goals this season for the Premiership's basement outfit.

However, amid talk of a possible £10million bid from the Hammers, Charlton boss Les Reed told Sky Sports News: "For the moment it's pure speculation and I expected that to happen.

"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 would 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."