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Bent out of England friendly

ESPN staff
February 25, 2012
Darren Bent suffered an ankle injury against Wigan © PA Photos
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Darren Bent has been ruled out of England's friendly against Netherlands on Wednesday after suffering an ankle injury during Aston Villa's goalless draw at Wigan.

Bent landed awkwardly after a challenge from Antolin Alcaraz. After being carried off on a stretcher, Bent left the DW Stadium in a protective boot and Alex McLeish admitted he feared the striker would be set for a long spell on the sidelines.

"He was in agony in the dressing room," McLeish said. "He is certainly out of the England squad. Going by his reaction, it seems serious.

"You never know if it settles down in the next 24 to 48 hours before he has a scan but he went over on it badly.

"The pitch was very heavy because of the rugby. It sapped the energy from a lot of players and Darren has been unlucky to go into one of the pieces of turf that has been dug up. Normally it is your ligaments that are affected in a situation like that. He has been grimacing and has been a little bit nauseous in the dressing room."

McLeish said there was no question of Bent featuring for England in the friendly with Netherlands on Wednesday, and said he did not expect the Football Association to insist on carrying out its own fitness assessment.

McLeish said. "I think there will be a bit of common sense applied to this one. Our doctor has a good relationship with the England medical set-up. If he has to report he will certainly be limping into the headquarters."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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