Aston Villa manager Alex McLeish has admitted Darren Bent's importance to the club and said that he is confident of keeping the Englishman at Villa Park for the foreseeable future.

Bent, 27, who has netted five times this season, has been linked with a move away from Birmingham in January but McLeish has brushed aside such speculation.

When asked if he faces a struggle to keep hold of the England international, the Glaswegian said: "I don't think so. I've not heard anything. As far as I'm concerned, he's here for the long run.

"We need him. He's a terrific finisher. Sometimes he only needs one chance. That's the value of someone like Darren Bent.

"If we can create one or two sniffs [of a goal], then Darren will be in there."

McLeish and Bent host Manchester United in this evening's Premier League tie.