Bent blow for Black Cats

Sunderland will be without leading scorer Darren Bent for tomorrow night’s Carling Cup clash against Aston Villa at the Stadium of Light.

Bent jolted a knee in the weekend defeat at Birmingham and will not be risked.

Central defender John Mensah is out with a calf injury while full-back Phil Bardsley is unlikely to overcome a shoulder problem.

Lee Cattermole (knee ligaments) remains the club’s only long-term injury victim.

Team (from): Gordon, Fulop, Bardsley, Da Silva, Nosworthy, Ferdinand, Turner, Richardson, McCartney, Reid, Malbranque, Cana, Henderson, Zenden, Campbell, Jones, Healy, Murphy.