Bent on the mend

Aston Villa and England striker Darren Bent has started rehabilitation work after suffering ankle ligament damage in February but says it is too early to indicate whether he will be fit for Euro 2012.

The 28-year-old has been ruled out for the remainder of the domestic season but has come off crutches and is undergoing gym work and swimming as the first part of his recovery programme.

He said: "It's too early to say for England. We'll have to wait until I'm outside running and kicking a ball. The quicker I'm out on the pitch running, the quicker I can have an inkling about Euro 2012. But I am on the mend, can walk without crutches and have just started rehab work in the pool and also doing stuff in the gym as well."

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