McLeish will not deny players

Aston Villa boss Alex McLeish said he will not stand in the way of any of his players representing Team Great Britain at the 2012 Olympics.

Striker Darren Bent, 28, could be picked as one of the over-23 players in Stuart Pearce’s squad, while the likes of defenders Alan Hutton and James Collins may also come into contention.

McLeish’s comments come in response to seven players in the Villa squad receiving letters from Pearce which asked if they wanted to take part in the Olympic tournament.

The Villa Park manager feels that representing Great Britain at the event would be too good an opportunity to turn down despite it potentially harming the club’s pre-season next term.

“I know everyone is worried about the dates of the Olympics and players being taken out of your squad for the build-up to the new season,” McLeish told The Sun.

“But how can you deny players that opportunity?”

It was revealed in January that seven players from the home nations that make up the Great Britain squad – England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland – had turned down Pearce’s invitation to play.

The 2012 London Olympics run from July 27 to August 2012.