x

No World Cup for Bent - Ipswich Town News

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).

What to read next:

Youngster Mazionis Set For Cheltenham Loan
U21s central defender Jacob Mazionis is set to join League Two Cheltenham Town on loan.
U21s Face Skuse's Bury Town
Town’s U21s face Cole Skuse’s Bury Town at Ram Meadow this evening (KO 7.30pm).
Town Face Charlton at Colchester
Town continue their pre-season friendly programme when they host fellow Championship side Charlton Athletic at Colchester United’s JobServe Community Stadium this evening (KO 7.30pm).
U18s Host West Brom in First U18 Premier League Fixture
Town’s U18s will start their first ever U18 Premier League South campaign with a home game against West Bromwich Albion at Playford Road on Saturday 16th August (KO 11am).
Ndaba Completes Lecce Move
Former Town defender Corrie Ndaba has completed his move from Scottish Premiership Kilmarnock to Serie A Lecce.
McKenna: Hirst Primed For Good Season
Town boss Kieran McKenna believes striker George Hirst is “primed to have a good season” for the Blues, the frontman having netted three times in the Blues’ two public friendlies.
Hirst: Scotland Call-Up Has Made Me a Better Player
Town striker George Hirst says he has taken a lot from being in the Scotland squad and feels the international recognition has made him a better player.
[Podcast] Blue Monday - New Podcast Now Online
A new podcast from the Blue Monday team is now available.
Town 'Willing to Pay Hackney £35,000-a-Week'
Town are reportedly willing to pay Middlesbrough midfielder Hayden Hackney £35,000-a-week, TWTD having revealed that the Blues had made an approach for the 23-year-old almost a fortnight ago.
U21s Defeated By Luton
A strong Blues U21s side was beaten 2-1 by Luton Town at Bent Lane in a pre-season friendly on Saturday afternoon with Tommy Taylor's first-half strike cancelled out after the break by a much-improved Hatters side.