Bent starts road to recovery

Aston Villa striker Darren Bent has taken the first step on his road to recovery after ankle surgery by doing some light running, manager Alex McLeish has confirmed.

Bent went under the knife at the start of March and has made it clear he is still hoping to be fit for England's Euro 2012 campaign.

Press Association Sport understands his progress was assessed this week by England's medical team at Villa's Bodymoor Heath training complex, and McLeish said: "Darren is bang on course for a full recovery and we are all very pleased about this."

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