Aston Villa striker Darren Bent set to see specialist

Darren Bent will miss England's friendly with Holland (GETTY IMAGES)

Aston Villa striker Darren Bent will see a joint specialist today to determine the extent of his ankle injury, Press Association Sport understands

Bent suffered the injury during Saturday's goalless draw at Wigan and has already withdrawn from the England squad to face Holland in Wednesday's friendly at Wembley.

A first scan yesterday proved inconclusive but Villa are keeping their fingers crossed that Bent, who has scored 10 goals this season, will not face a lengthy spell on the sidelines.

With Los Angeles Galaxy striker Robbie Keane having ended his loan spell at Villa Park, Bent's absence would leave Gabriel Agbonlahor and Emile Heskey as Villa's only two fit senior strikers.

Villa boss Alex McLeish has at least had some good news elsewhere with skipper Stiliyan Petrov poised to return against Blackburn this weekend.

The Bulgarian international midfielder missed the clash against the Latics with a thigh injury suffered in training.

McLeish said: "I think Stiliyan will definitely be okay for Blackburn. He was touch and go for the Wigan game.

"Stiliyan wanted to play but the dilemma for me was if he started and then, after 10 or 15 minutes he was feeling it, he's then out for six weeks."

PA