Alex McLeish thinks there is little chance of Darren Bent returning to action for Aston Villa this season but the manager thinks his striker could be ready for Euro 2012.
Bent underwent surgery on ruptured ankle ligaments at the start of March and the Midlands club have struggled in his absence, lying three points above the Premier League relegation zone with two games to play.
McLeish would love to have Villa's £18m record signing back for the games against Tottenham Hotspur and Norwich City but he is determined not to rush the 28-year-old's progress. However, the Scot has given Roy Hodgson, the new England manager, a boost by adding that Bent may be fit in time for the first European Championship group game against France on 11 June.
"I don't believe there is a chance of him playing again for Villa this season," McLeish told the club's official website. "The doc thinks he's got a chance for the Euros, though, he's talking about four or five weeks [until he's ready to play].
"He's running and he's working individually with the physios. I'm not sure if he's at the level of striking a ball yet, but he can't be far away from that now. The physios will still be working on him to get him back to his peak fitness again. We have to make sure he gets back good and proper."
