Bent staying put

Bent, 22, has been in great form so far this season, scoring six of Charlton"s nine Premiership goals, prompting reports that the former double European champions are set to mount a £9 million (13.3 million euros) bid for the striker.

But Charlton's chief executive Peter Varney dismissed the claims as: "pure speculation," and said they will not let him go.

Varney told the South London Press: "Darren signed a new, improved four-year deal in the summer and we have no intention of selling him.

"He is a key part of our side and of our hopes of staying up. There have been no enquiries by Manchester United or anyone else for that matter. It's just paper talk."

Bent has scored 31 goals in 57 games since moving to the Valley for £2.5 million (3.7 million euros) in June 2005 from Ipswich Town.