• Premier League

Bent eyes Olympics after rehab

ESPN staff
April 5, 2012
Bent required surgery to repair ruptured ligaments in his ankle © PA Photos
Enlarge

Aston Villa striker Darren Bent will look to the Olympics if he does not recover in time to make the England squad for Euro 2012, but admits his own injury problems pale into insignificance compared to the plights of Villa captain Stiliyan Petrov and Bolton's Fabrice Muamba.

Bent is facing an uphill battle to prove his fitness ahead of the European Championship this summer after being ruled out of the domestic season by surgery on an ankle injury picked up against Wigan in February.

But his disappointment has been put into perspective by the strength of character shown by two fellow professional footballers facing life-threatening medical problems.

Muamba is doing well in hospital after suffering a cardiac arrest during Bolton's FA Cup tie against Tottenham, while Petrov has vowed to beat acute leukaemia after being diagnosed last week.

"It certainly puts everything into perspective for me," said Bent in The Sun. "I'm sitting here worrying if I'm going to be back playing again in eight weeks' time while Stan and Fabrice are fighting for their lives.

"How can I get all beat up about my problems when those guys are fighting tooth and nail to survive? That's why I'm praying every day they are on the mend again very soon."

"We are all so used to football fans being criticised. But so many have come together and are supporting the two lads. I must admit it's all brought a lump to my throat."

Bent believes his chances of playing at Euro 2012 are fading, and admits taking him to Poland and Ukraine would be a huge gamble.

"Of course I want to be out there helping but it doesn't look like I'll play again this season," he said. "That means I'll probably be missing the Euros too, so it's a big blow.

"The time-frame for the injury takes me to 16th May by which time the ankle will be fully healed and my rehab completed. I'd just say to the new England manager - whoever it is - give me a chance. Then it will be down to whether he does take a chance on me, at least in one of the warm-ups."

Bent added: "If Euro 2012 doesn't happen for me I'm definitely up for playing in the Olympic Games. It's a massive event and it doesn't come to your home town but once in a lifetime. It would be ridiculous to give up the opportunity."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
Close

ABOUT COOKIES

To help make this website better, to improve and personalize your experience and for advertising purposes, are you happy to accept cookies and other technologies.

More Info Here Cookie Choices