Striker Darren Bent has been called into the England U21 squad, ironically as a replacement for best friend Darren Ambrose who is ill.

Bent has flown out to a training camp in Sardinia ahead of games against Serbia and Montenegro and Slovakia next month.

The 19-year-old says he wasn't expecting to be involved: "I got a late call on Sunday because Ambers was sick and told I was being added to the squad for the training camp," he told the club site.

"It came as a bit of a surprise and I was all set to go away on holiday when the call came but it's great to be involved with England."

The U21s face Serbia and Montenegro in a friendly on June 2nd at Hull's Kingston Communications Stadium and Slovakia in a Euro 2004 qualifier at Sunderland on June 10th.

Bent and Ambrose made their U21s debuts in the away defeat in Italy in February.

Photo: Action Images

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