Bent’s England dream in tatters

Darren Bent’s hopes of playing for England in the Euro 2012 finals are in massive doubt after it was confirmed he will be sidelined for up to three months with ruptured ankle ligaments.

The Aston Villa striker visited a specialist in London yesterday afternoon and his worst fears were confirmed.

It means he is unlikely to be available until the end of May, with the Euro finals getting underway just over a week later, in Poland and the Ukraine.