Bent not being 'dismissed'

The fact that the likes of Raheem Sterling and Adam Lallana have been drafted in as cover for injured players is no reflection on Darren Bent at all.

Calling up these youngsters is very much - as said earlier in another article - in keeping with Roy Hodgson's philosophy of bringing younger players into his squad to combat injuries to give them a taste of the international set-up.

Of course I am sure that if he did not feel he had enough cover in the squad, even with injury withdrawals, he would turn to senior figures that would be more likely to feature, as lets face it Sterling and Lallana are almost certain NOT to feature tonight.

With this in mind Bent is not being 'dismissed' by Hodgson...

The Villa man is 'being followed' and only his injury problems from last season, which held him back, are working against him at the moment: 'Darren was injured for the best part of last season and the new one is only two or three games old.

'He's a player we'll be following. I've not dismissed anybody.'

I am fairly sure that as the season develops and the fitness and form of Bent improves he will be back in, and around, the England squad.

Although I must say, that for me, it is usually likely to be a battle between Bent and Jermain Defoe for that final spot in the 23?

Whoever is performing the best will probably be the one given the nod, certainly be the one with the greatest chance of being in the starting 11...

Vital England on:

Vital England on:

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