Roy Hodgson: 'Darren Bent has England future'

England manager Roy Hodgson has insisted that Darren Bent still has a future with the national side.

The Aston Villa striker missed out on the squad for the World Cup qualifiers over Moldova and Ukraine having failed to be included in the Euro 2012 squad.

The 28-year-old spent a large part of last season on the treatment table, but Hodgson believes that both he and Peter Crouch will both have a place in the squad when they return to form.

"They have both played for England in the past," said Hodgson.

"Darren Bent was injured for a large part of last season and the new season is only three Premier League games old. He is a player we'll be following.

"I was thinking Andy Carroll and Wayne Rooney when I put this squad together but I lost Rooney a week before and then Carroll at the last minute. I've not dismissed anybody, even Peter Crouch."

England take on Ukraine at Wembley on Tuesday night in their second World Cup qualifying match.