England striker Bent out of France friendly

Sunderland striker Darren Bent has been ruled out of next week’s international friendly against France with a hamstring injury.

The 26-year-old is set to be out of action for up to three weeks, having suffered the injury in training on Friday ahead of Sunderland’s Premier League match against Stoke.

Bent has scored eight goals so far this season, including his first for England in the 3-1 European Championship qualifying victory away to Switzerland on September 7.

In his absence, Ghana international Asamoah Gyan — Sunderland’s club record signing — scored both goals in Sunderland’s 2-0 win over Stoke on Saturday.