Aston Villa's Darren Bent hopes the recent speculation surrounding teammates Stewart Downing and Ashley Young amounts to nothing.
The England striker is well aware that both Downing and Young are attracting strong interest from rival Premier League clubs but he is trying to persuade them to remain at Villa Park and keep supplying him with goals.
"I've been in both of their ears trying to convince them (Young and Downing) to stay," the former Sunderland man said.
"They are two top, top players and, if we can hold onto them next season, it will be fantastic.
"I hope they stay. What is going on in their careers and lives is down to them.
"But for me, being a striker, you want the best service and they are probably the two best wingers in the league.
"If we can keep hold of them two I will be very, very happy."
