Aston Villa manager Paul Lambert has confirmed that striker Darren Bent will be sidelined for up to a month with a hamstring injury.
The 28-year-old made a brief return to action in Villa's 4-1 win over Norwich City in the League Cup quarter-finals in midweek after weeks of getting snubbed from the squad by Lambert.
"He went for a scan on Wednesday and he has got a problem with his hamstring which will keep him out for a few weeks," Lambert said in a press conference.
When asked if he would miss the festive schedule, Lambert replied: "Yes, probably, the way it is looking, yes. I think a few weeks. Maybe four weeks, I'd say, before we see him back."
Bent has previously been linked with an exit from Villa Park after struggling to get into the first team.
