McLeish backs Bent for Euros

Aston Villa manager Alex McLeish has revealed that Darren Bent could be fit in time to feature in England’s Euro 2012 campaign.

The 28-year-old striker has been absent from the Villa first team since undergoing surgery for ruptured ankle ligaments in March.

McLeish says Bent is unlikely to feature for Villa again this season, but sees a role for the England international in Poland and Ukraine.

“I don’t believe there is a chance of him playing again for Villa this season,” McLeish said.

“The doc (doctor) thinks he’s got a chance for the Euros though, so if he’s talking he’s talking about four or five weeks.

“He’s running and he’s working individually with the physios. I’m not sure if he’s at the level of striking a ball yet, but he can’t be far away from that now.

“The physios will still be working on him to get him back to his peak fitness again. We have to make sure he gets back good and proper.”

McLeish has other injury headaches to deal with, chiefly in defence, with Wales international James Collins in doubt for the club’s final two games of the season.

“He’s (Collins) still not trained,” added McLeish. “He’s still got the groin strain which has been enough to keep him out and is keeping him out as we speak. Carlos (Cuellar) and Richard (Dunne) did really well.

“It’s up in the air whether he’s going to be able to train, but we’ve got Carlos there, Dunney there, (Nathan) Baker if we need him or even Ciaran (Clark) can play there.”