Knee injury forces Pardew to plot
Bent sale
Charlton manager Alan Pardew admits the recent injury suffered by
striker Darren Bent has forced him to listen to offers for the
England international.
The Premiership strugglers had been expected to reject all bids for
their leading goalscorer during the January transfer window as they
attempt to preserve their top-flight status. But Bent, 22, is
currently sidelined with a knee injury sustained in the recent
clash with Aston Villa. The complaint could keep him out until
mid-February and his absence has prompted Pardew into a
re-think.
The Addicks boss has now conceded that it could be in the club's
best interests to cash in on their prize asset if that releases
funds for a significant spending spree later in the month. He said:
'We have been getting a few phone calls from clubs asking about our
players and there has been some interest in Darren Bent.
'That was always going to happen in the transfer window and, a
short time ago, my decision would have been to say quite
categorically that he wasn't going anywhere. 'But his injury has
made me think a bit differently. I have to look at his fitness
every day and see whether it is improving or whether he is going to
be out for long time. In our situation, that might be too
much.
'If someone is going to go for him in this window, they will have
to wait six weeks before they can play him. They might be in the
position to do that but I might not be.' Bent has become one of the
most highly-prized assets in the top flight thanks to his form over
the last two seasons.
A host of clubs including West Ham, Aston Villa and Tottenham have
been linked with moves for the striker and the news that he is
available is sure to prompt a frenzy of activity before the
transfer window closes on 31 January.
