Benteke misses Genk training

Christian Benteke: Has missed training with Genk after failed Villa bid

Genk coach Mario Been has confirmed Christian Benteke has missed training after the Belgian club turned down an offer from Aston Villa.

The 21-year-old's agent confirmed earlier this week the player is "unhappy" after Genk spurned a reported €7million (£5.5m) bid from the Midlanders for his signature, with reports suggesting he had gone on strike.

Belgium international Benteke, who has three years remaining on his deal at the Belgian club, has been on Villa manager Paul Lambert's radar all summer and is thought to be set on a Premier League move.

Been has expressed his frustration with the youngster after he failed to turn up to training and has stressed he will stay at Genk if the two clubs cannot reach an agreement.

The coach told Voetbalkrant: "I regret the situation.

"I have been a player and I also had many dreams. I wanted to play in Italy once and I did that.

"But first of all the one thing that counts most is the team. If someone wants to work it out in this way, then he is fully accountable.

Important

"It's a pity because Benteke is unbelievably important to the team but I can't change this situation and I will work with the lads who have trained.

"Everyone knows that his dream is to play in England.

"When two clubs can't come to an agreement then the player will stay under contract at Genk.

"He didn't feel good enough to play and therefore he was absent on the two previous training days.

"It's very important to voice my confidence in the players who will play. I don't have much (to say) about a player who doesn't want to play."