Aston Villa striker Darren Bent has been ruled out of England's clash with Bulgaria in Sofia tonight.

The 27-year old has succumbed to a groin strain and will miss the Group G Euro2012 qualifier against the Bulgarians at the Stadion Vasil Levski.

Tottenham's Jermain Defoe has been touted as a possible replacement but there is also plenty of hope that in-form Manchester United ace Ashley Young will take his place in the starting line-up with teammate Wayne Rooney and Andy Carroll playing up front.