Bent backing Gabby for England

Darren Bent: Still believes he and Gabriel Agbonlahor have an England future

Darren Bent is backing Aston Villa team-mate Gabriel Agbonlahor to force his way back into the England team.

The Villa pair started the season in fine form and had scored five Premier League goals each by November 5th 2011, just 11 games into the season.

But the season ended on a sour note with Bent suffering an ankle injury in February, while Agbonlahor's form dipped, resulting in both men missing out on Roy Hodgson's Euro 2012 squad.

Despite that disappointment, Bent believes he and his strike partner could have an England future together if they can stay fit.

Pace

The 28-year-old said: "I'd like to think me and Gabby could be picked for the same England squad again. If he can keep himself fit and look after his hamstrings there's every chance.

"But when you've got that much pace and explosiveness you're always going to have problems with your hamstrings.

"If he can get over that then there's no reason why he can't force himself into the squad. At the start of last season his performances were fantastic.

"I know maybe he didn't get the goals that he would have liked in the second half of the season, but it's hard when you have injuries here and there.

"We all know what he is capable of and with a good run I'm sure he can show that for Villa and England."