Aston Villa manager Paul Lambert has denied suggestions that he plans to sell Darren Bent during the January transfer window.
Lambert removed the England international, 28, from his position as club captain earlier this season.
Bent, who is currently injured, has since fallen behind summer signing Christian Benteke in the pecking order at Villa Park, however Lambert insists that he is not trying to force him out of the club.
"I'm not actively looking to sell him," said the Scot. "It's just back to the injury and I have to look after another 20 lads.
"I have to pick a team I think will win. I've always done that, I've never had any favourites."
Bent has scored 20 goals in 47 Premier League appearances for Villa since arriving from Sunderland 18 months ago.
