Fitness boost for Bent

Aston Villa striker Darren Bent was on course to face Everton in tomorrow’s Barclays Premier League clash after returning to training following the groin injury which forced him out of England’s Euro 2012 qualifiers with Bulgaria and Wales.

Defender Richard Dunne had four stitches in a facial wound suffered when on duty for the Republic of Ireland in Russia but was available.

Manager Alex McLeish included transfer deadline day signings Alan Hutton and Jermaine Jenas in his squad as Villa looked to maintain their unbeaten start to the campaign.

Provisional squad: Given, Guzan, Hutton, Herd, Dunne, Collins, Warnock, N’Zogbia, Petrov, Jenas, Bannan, Delph, Petrov, Ireland, Albrighton, Bent, Heskey, Agbonlahor, Delfouneso.