Hopes fade on £12m striker deal

Blackburn target Darren Bent is poised to hold talks with Sunderland this week about finalising a £12m move from Tottenham.

Sunderland boss Roy Keane is desperate to bolster his attack at the Stadium of Light with Kenwyne Jones ruled out for the long term with a knee ligament injury and is said to be concentrating on completing a deal for Bent.

The England striker only joined Tottenham last summer in a £16.5 million deal from Charlton but has struggled to win a first-team slot at White Hart Lane and is understood to be ready to consider a move to boost his chances of regaining a place in the England squad.

Bent's representatives have indicated that they are willing to speak to Sunderland if the two clubs agree a fee and new Blackburn manager Paul Ince and Aston Villa also monitoring the situation closely but Keane appears to be favourite to sign the player at this stage.