BATTLE-scarred Stephen Foster paid tribute to one of the best Championship strikers he has ever come across - Darren Bent.The Crewe defender needed five stitches in a gash by his right eye just 20 minutes into the 2-2 draw with Ipswich and was given a rough time by Bent, who did not play to his usual high standards.

By Derek Davis

BATTLE-scarred Stephen Foster paid tribute to one of the best Championship strikers he has ever come across - Darren Bent.

The Crewe defender needed five stitches in a gash by his right eye just 20 minutes into the 2-2 draw with Ipswich and was given a rough time by Bent, who did not play to his usual high standards.

The England Under 21 striker missed a good chance in the first half but he never gave up and his perseverance added to his already considerable reputation, according to Foster.

He said: “Darren is an extremely lively player.

“The one thing I noticed about him is how he kept his head up for the full 90 minutes.

“With some forwards, their head goes down if things don't go their way yet that didn't happen with Darren.

“He fully deserved his goal for that reason alone, never mind all the other attributes he has.

“I was not surprised at how quick he was because I have seen him on television, burning centre halves, so we were wary.

“He is sharp, quick around the box and he has a very good leap, so he is an aerial threat as well.”

Foster, and his Crewe team-mates, were relieved that Bent did not join Charlton in August, after hearing two-goal hero Dean Ashton was being lined up as a possible replacement by Joe Royle.

He said: “We know our best players will move on but I'm glad Darren didn't go, which meant Dean didn't get an offer as well.

“Dean goes on about when he first got in the team and everything went in for him, but he is in a similar vein of form now. He doesn't say much about what is going on, he is quite reserved, he just does his thing on the pitch and lets others talk things up.

“We don't wind him up about it. The truth is, we are all a bit jealous. We would love the chance to play in the Premiership and to be recognised by these big clubs.”

The young striker is now being courted by Spurs, Everton and Manchester City, with the £2.5m-rated forward knocking in 17 goals so far this season.