Aston Villa boss Paul Lambert has told Darren Bent he won't be welcome at preseason first team training.

Villa's chief has informed the England international that he will not feature in any warm-up matches ahead of the new Premier League campaign, says the Daily Mail.

Bent, 29, has been ordered to train with three other players - Stephen Ireland was also among them - in the most blatant sign yet that his time is up at Villa Park.

Villa returned to training on Monday and Bent immediately found himself on the outside looking in, just weeks after celebrating his marriage.