Darren Bent has pulled out of England's friendly with Hungary tomorrow with a back injury.
The Sunderland striker was reported to have left the Three Lions camp yesterday but in fact remained at their Watford base for a further assessment this morning.
That has now taken place and the damage is deemed sufficient to warrant Bent returning to the north east immediately.
Bent, who missed out on selection for the World Cup after being axed from Fabio Capello's provisional squad, must now be regarded as a doubt for Sunderland's Premier League opener against Birmingham at the Stadium of Light on Saturday.
It cuts Capello's squad down to 20 after the international retirements of Paul Robinson and Wes Brown were confirmed on Sunday.
That has now taken place and the damage is deemed sufficient to warrant Bent returning to the north east immediately.
Bent, who missed out on selection for the World Cup after being axed from Fabio Capello's provisional squad, must now be regarded as a doubt for Sunderland's Premier League opener against Birmingham at the Stadium of Light on Saturday.
It cuts Capello's squad down to 20 after the international retirements of Paul Robinson and Wes Brown were confirmed on Sunday.
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