Darren Bent could be fit for Euro 2012

Aston Villa striker Darren Bent is still holding out hope that he will be fit for England's Euro 2012 campaign.

The 28-year-old discovered yesterday that he had damaged ankle ligaments during Villa's 0-0 draw against Wigan Athletic on Saturday.

Should the injury require surgery, his recovery period is expected to be around 12 weeks, all but ruling him out of the tournament in Poland and Ukraine.

However, Bent has told Sky Sports News that the complaint may not require an operation to be corrected.

If he is able to go straight into rehabilitation, his absence could be ten weeks. That would leave him enough time to rediscover his fitness and make himself available to the Three Lions.

A decision will be made when the swelling has subsided.