Former Town striker Darren Bent has not been included in Sven-Goran Eriksson's provisional squad for this summer's World Cup in Germany. Charlton frontman Bent is not even amongst the players on standby.

Bent's non-appearance at the World Cup will mean the Blues have no chance of gaining the £200,000 payable by the Addicks after each of his first two competitive internationals until next season and the European Championship qualifiers.

The 22-year-old admitted his omission was a blow: "I am obviously really disappointed. I wasn't taking anything for granted and knew that it was by no means certain that I would be included, but being the leading English goalscorer in the Premiership I was very hopeful of being included.

"All I can do now is go away on holiday, recharge my batteries and look forward to next season."

Eriksson has named just four strikers in his squad: Wayne Rooney, Michael Owen, Peter Crouch and Arsenal youngster Theo Walcott.

Provisional squad: Robinson (Tottenham), James (Manchester City), Green (Norwich), G Neville (Manchester United), Ferdinand (Manchester United), Terry (Chelsea), Cole (Arsenal), Campbell (Arsenal), Carragher (Liverpool), Bridge (Chelsea), Beckham (Real Madrid), Carrick (Tottenham), Lampard (Chelsea), Gerrard (Liverpool), Hargreaves (Bayern Munich), Jenas (Totenham), Downing (Middlesbrough), J Cole (Chelsea), Lennon (Tottenham), Rooney (Manchester United), Owen (Newcastle), Crouch (Liverpool), Walcott (Arsenal). Standby: Scott Carson (Liverpool), Luke Young (Charlton), Nigel Reo-Coker (West Ham), Jermain Defoe (Tottenham), Andy Johnson (Crystal Palace).

Photo: Action Images

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