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Bent Open to Town Return
Friday, 12th Oct 2018 09:48

Free agent former Blues striker Darren Bent has said he is open to a return to Town, the club where he started his career.

The Blues are short on frontmen at present after injuries to ex-skipper Jon Walters, who had come back on loan from Burnley, and Ellis Harrison.

Town can only sign free agents between now and the January transfer window opening and Bent, now 34, is currently in that position having been released by Derby in May, despite speaking to a number of clubs during the summer.

Bent, who spent the second half of last season on loan in the Championship with Burton, scoring twice in 10 starts and five sub appearances, says he’d speak to his old club if they were to show interest.

“There’s been no contact, but obviously it’s something I would be open to,” He told the EADT.

“It’s a club close to my heart. That’s where it all started for me, I had a lot of good days there and a great relationship with the fans. Never mind it being one of the results I look for every week, it’s the first result I look for.”

Despite not playing this season, Bent insists he’s not as unfit as might be thought: “I trained with Burton over the summer, played some pre-season games, had a couple of charity matches and have been doing my own gym work.

“I don’t think general fitness would be an issue, it would just take a little bit of time to get that match sharpness back.”

Speaking shortly after Walters suffered the achilles injury which curtailed his loan spell, Blues manager Paul Hurst played down the chances of bringing in a free agent frontman.

“The danger is that we’re now almost into October and that’s a long time, unless the situation is different somehow, to have not played and not been fit and I would suggest it would take a good month to get someone fit,” he said.

“You could argue you’ve got a couple of months to work with them but it’s not an ideal situation, that’s for sure.

“I wouldn’t rule it out but at the same time I think it would be difficult to perhaps find that person that we think can contribute and not by just being a name but by being in good shape and in the position to really help the squad and the team.”

However, talking ahead of last week’s home game against Middlesbrough, Hurst admitted it was something which might be looked at.

“We’ll keep looking, but at the minute the priority is the game and then arrangements ready for our long trip to Swansea,” he said.

“But people are looking at things and will be taking calls etc to see if there’s anything which can help us along the way.”

Bent came through the academy at Playford Road and went on to make 106 starts and 25 sub appearances for Town between 2001 and 2005, scoring 55 goals.

In addition to Derby and his loan spell at Burton, the Cambridge-raised striker has played for Charlton, Tottenham, Aston Villa, Sunderland, Fulham (loan) and Brighton (loan) as well as winning 13 full England caps in which he scored four times.


Photo: Action Images



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Josh271092 added 09:52 - Oct 12
Give him a trial. If he is fit enough then yes please!
8

HighgateBlue added 10:05 - Oct 12
I always thought, as the article says, that he was born in Cambridge. However, Wikipedia says Tooting. Does anyone know which is right?

As for getting him back, I don't suppose it would hurt for him to train with us so we can assess his fitness, but if he's not fully fit, promote the yoofs. No other option...
3

rugbytomc added 10:06 - Oct 12
if he wants to join Ipswich then get in touch and ask for a trial and to train with us so the coaches and the club can see what he's got and if they want to offer him a deal. Don't expect Ipswich to come begging or knocking
4

BlueandTruesince82 added 10:07 - Oct 12
Does he have the pace that once made him so deadly?

Pay as you play maybe but I think it might be time to hang the boots up for Benty
-5

marco007 added 10:11 - Oct 12
I would be amazed if this happened. As much as we all love Benty we cannot live in the past and think his age and fitness will count against hiim.
Would much rather use what we have (Sears, Jackson) and try and get them up to speed and throw in some youngesters. Hiindsight is a wonderful thing :)
2

PhilTWTD added 10:13 - Oct 12
HighgateBlue

Just checked and Tooting is right, despite Cambridge having been widely cited and what came to mind from his time here: "Born in South London, despite many sources quoting his birthplace as Cambridge, which was where he moved to (Huntingdon) when a child and attended Hinchingbrooke School."

Have amended.
3

WeWereZombies added 10:15 - Oct 12
Wonder if Darren Ambrose is a free agent too...
2

ThatMuhrenCross added 10:17 - Oct 12
Get him in on a three month contract and see if he can get up to speed. He is a natural goalscorer, and right now we don't have any of those in our squad.
3

OwainG1992 added 10:22 - Oct 12
I'd bring him back. Bent on the bench when we are needing to chase a goal is a good option to me.
5

Wickets added 10:28 - Oct 12
He was playing boys football in Huntington when spotted by Malcom Moore who was with Town academy recruitment. Not too sure bringing him back is a good idea, if it was to happen it would have to be a pay when you play contract for me.
0

PositivelyPortman added 10:29 - Oct 12
The last thing we need is another hamstring victim.
Give him a trial to check him out thoroughly.
If all is fine, then fix up a short term contract.
He won't want pay, he'll play for the adoration.
0

Bluebongo added 10:34 - Oct 12
Darren Bent would be a better bet than some of the lower league players that Hursthas brought in.He,s lots of Championship experience and only 34 years old.
4

Surco72 added 10:39 - Oct 12
Bent would add invaluable experience to our forwards and in his prime was an actual finisher unlike Walters . He could provide another option as we have no one to hold the ball up which we clearly need and if he can get fit its a no lose situation , has played way more games than Walters has over last few seasons and everyone was desperate to get him back ?
6

gosblue added 10:40 - Oct 12
Can trialists still turn out for the U23s? If so it would be interesting to see today's team sheet. If there isn't a trialist in there then I doubt Bent or any other free agent will be coming in. I'm not convinced we need anyone anyway. Sears and Jackson are ok and the midfield are finally starting to support the frontman.
1

pennblue added 10:46 - Oct 12
I personally think he would be worth a contract on a realistic wage, just to help bring Jackson on. Very similar players to Bent's experience could be very helpful.
3

Cakeman added 10:49 - Oct 12
Yes please. Nothing to lose, vast experience which we are lacking up front and his heart would be in it.
4

tractorboybig added 10:50 - Oct 12
when at derby didn't the then manager say "he was the eaisiest player to leave out, he was fat and lazy and unprofessional" Just what we are looking for
5

Razor added 10:52 - Oct 12
This is really a no brainer Mr Hurst----even for you.

OK make sure he is fit (I almost cringe saying that with our club full of sick notes) and then give him a short term contract wind him up and let him go------or is that just too simple?
3

BlueBlood90 added 10:56 - Oct 12
You were on Sky Sports last week being one of the "careful what you wish for" mob talking about McCarthy. No thanks.
-3

runningout added 11:11 - Oct 12
We ain't desperate
1

robpontin added 11:45 - Oct 12
@highgateblue he went to school in godmanchester so grew up in Cambridgeshire I played against him at school
0

Lightningboy added 12:14 - Oct 12
Something we should have looked at the moment Walters & Harrison were both sidelined..Not necessarily Bent but one of the freebies..i'm sure they must keep themselves in some sort of shape ready for a call from a club?..could've spent 2 weeks of this break getting upto speed..found it bemusing the way Hurst laughed that question off last week when asked about whether he'd made enquiries about bringing a striker in.
2

BrettenhamBlue added 13:04 - Oct 12
Pablo Counago is still playing. Sure he'd be up for a return too.
2

planetblue_2011 added 13:10 - Oct 12
Gotta be worth a go surely?! We don't have much to offer upfront at the moment.
If fit or get him fit with training with us he could be that bit of extra help & experience we need upfront. Even if it's just cover or super sub. Wages shouldn't be an issue & pay as u play could work for both parties.
Get him in Hurst he's a true blue💙
4

SouperJim added 13:10 - Oct 12
Footballer who wants to play football open to playing football. Nothing to see here, he won't be coming.
1


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