Aston Villa striker Darren Bent could face West Brom
Aston Villa striker Darren Bent could be fit to face West Brom but manager Paul Lambert may have to ease him back in gently with a hectic period of games ahead.
The England international has been out with a knee injury he picked up in the first leg of the Capital One Cup semi-final with Bradford City.
But, with the game against the Baggies quickly followed by the second leg against Bradford at Villa Park and a trip to Millwall in the FA Cup next Friday, Lambert will exercise caution.
He said: "Darren's been out with his knee. We have three games in a week, so I will have to see how he's feeling.
"He's a big player and it will great to have him back but we'll have to be careful. Richard Dunne's back in training but he won't be match fit yet."
Lambert also revealed there was "no chance" that Villa would spend the same kind of money which brought Bent and Jean Makoun to the club in January 2011 for a combined total of £30million.
The Villa boss said: "There is no chance, none whatsoever. We are trying to do something within the structure, but there will be none like that."