Aston Villa striker Darren Bent suffered an ankle injury in training on Friday

Aston Villa will today assess Darren Bent’s fitness after the striker suffered an injury to the ankle which sidelined him for the final three months of last season.

The 28-year-old sustained the injury in training on Friday and was ruled out of Saturday’s 1-0 win at Sunderland.

Villa boss Paul Lambert said: "It is the same ankle he hurt against Wigan [in February]. I know it was serious then.

"Is it serious? I don't know yet. He will get treatment on it during the week and we will see.

"He was really hobbling on Friday and we couldn't take a chance on him with Sunderland."

Last season's ankle problem ended Bent’s hopes of being part of England's Euro 2012 squad.