Bent set for fitness race

Published: 02 Sep 2011 - 10:30:01

Rss feed

Aston Villa are waiting for news on Darren Bent's groin problem, which may rule him out of England's Euro 2012 qualifier in Bulgaria.

The Villa hitman was expected to feature in the Group G encounter in Sofia on Friday evening as one of Three Lions coach Fabio Capello's main forwards as the side look to maintain their position at the top of the table with three points ahead of Tuesday's clash against Wales at Wembley.

However, Bent, who has scored three goals in as many games in his previous England outings, has not trained in the past two days and it is looking increasingly doubtful that he will play.If Bent is not fit then Tottenham striker Jermain Defoe could get the nod unless Capello opts to play former Villa man Ashley Young just behind his Manchester United team-mate Wayne Rooney.Meanwhile, Villa boss Alex McLeish will hope to get his star forward back at the club to work on his fitness in the hope he can play in his side's trip to Everton when the Premier League resumes on Saturday week.