Aston Villa’s Darren Bent backs Paul Lambert’s search for a striker

Darren Bent has issued his support for Paul Lambert’s hunt for another striker to add to his Aston Villa squad.

The 28-year-old played the full game in Villa’s 1-0 defeat by West Ham United at Upton Park on Saturday, which was the England international’s first league appearance since picking up a season-ending injury in February.

Lambert has been linked with a move for Tottenham Hotspur’s Jermain Defoe, with Stoke’s Kenywnye Jones another reported target of the Birmingham outfit.

“Competition is always good. If the manager decides he wants to bring someone else in as well, it’s only going to help Aston Villa Football Club,” Bent told ESPN.

“Defoe is a top international striker. He’s a great finisher, he can score goals and make goals for himself. He’d be a fantastic addition.

“I’ve played with Kenywyne Jones before and he’s a fantastic striker on his day. He’s up there with the best of them.”

Bent ruptured ligaments in his ankle after clashing with Wigan Athletic’s Antolin Alcaraz, ruling the former Sunderland forward out for the remainder of the season, and subsequently England’s Euro 2012 campaign.

The Ipswich Town youth graduate insisted he is focusing on improving his club form, before looking to break into Roy Hodgson’s squad for the 2014 World Cup qualifying campaign.

“I have not spoken with Roy Hodgson since before the Championships,” he added.

“All I can do now is concentrate on my club form and get that right. That’s all I can do really.

“If I score goals for Villa and we play well and win games it’s only going to help me get back into that England squad.”