Lambert not looking to cash-in on Bent

Aston Villa manager Paul Lambert insist that he is not looking to sell Darren Bent in the January transfer window, the Daily Mirror is reporting.

Bent has endured a frustrating campaign so far for the Villains and has spent the majority of his time on the bench over recent weeks.

The striker has also been stripped of the captaincy and many reports suggested that the new Villa boss Lambert was ready to let him leave in the New Year.

However, the Scotsman said: “I’m not actively looking to sell him. It’s just back to the injury and I have to look after another 20 lads.

“I have to pick a team I think will win. I’ve always done that, I’ve never had any favourites.”

It is likely that Lambert will be given money to spend in the window as he tried to guide Villa away from the relegation battle they look like being in this campaign. They currently occupy a space in the bottom three of the English Premier League.

Christian Benteke has moved ahead of Bent in the pecking order this term and the England international is not happy sitting on the bench week-in week-out.

Teams such as Liverpool have been linked with the £24m striker as they look to end their problems going forward.

We shall see.