Villa boss won't cash in Darren Bent

Aston Villa manager Alex McLeish has dismissed the possibility of selling star striker Darren Bent to fund a spending spree in the January transfer window.

The Villa boss has already admitted he has little money to reinforce his squad and will more than likely have to sell players before he can bring fresh faces in.

One option would be to cash in on Bent and use the proceeds from the sale to reinvest in Villa's squad, with a quality central midfielder top of his wish list.

McLeish has received "one or two calls" about the availability of certain players but Bent's name is not one of those mentioned

And he has now ruled out any idea the England striker could leave – insisting he is key to his future plans for the club.

"It would be very difficult for me to replace a striker of Darren's quality in the future," said McLeish.

"His goals last season were a vital part of keeping this club in the division. I'm not tempted to lose any of the strikers. It was something that affected Birmingham City badly last year when we lost Nikola Zigic after the Carling Cup final and Obafemi Martins broke his leg. It was a massive blow to us at the time.

"People say strikers make a difference in this league and, to be honest, where we are now, I don't think anyone could afford him. I really don't think so.

"Anyway, it would send out the wrong message – unless we went out and signed Luis Suarez!"

Despite being a long-term admirer of Kris Boyd, the Villa manager rejected speculation that the Scotland international could be on his way to Villa Park.

Boyd is a free agent having terminated his contract with Turkish side Eskisehirspor after they refused to pay him.

McLeish also backed Bent to end his goalscoring drought against Stoke at the Britannia Stadium this evening as he makes his return to action after injury.

"He is a predator," added McLeish. "He may not get a lot of touches but if he gets the right one he rarely misses."