Football: Bent in fitness race for Euro 2012

LONDON: England striker Darren Bent admits he faces a race against time to recover from ankle ligament surgery in time to make Euro 2012. Bent had established himself as one of England’s first-choice strikers since his move to Aston Villa from Sunderland, but is not expected back in action until May, giving him a slim chance of proving his fitness for the tournament. He has come off crutches and is undergoing gym work and swimming as the first part of his recovery programme. “It’s too early to say,” said Bent. “We’ll have to wait until I’m outside running and kicking a ball. The quicker I’m out on the pitch running, the sooner I can have an idea about Euro 2012.”

Published in The Express Tribune, April 5^th, 2012.