Darren Bent had reason to celebrate after his late call-up by England Under-21s.

The Ipswich Town striker has flown out to join David Platt's squad at a training camp in Sardinia.

Ironically, he got the call after illness looked to have ruled out best friend and former Blues team-mate Darren Ambrose.

But Ambrose made a quick recovery and flew out to join the camp yesterday afternoon.

Bent, speaking from the Italian island, told the Evening Gazette: "I'm really chuffed to be out here.

"We're doing bits of training but more than anything the week has been quite relaxing so far.

"We've all had long seasons so this trip has given us the opportunity to recharge our batteries."

The camp has been arranged as a squad-bonding exercise before two games next month.

England Under-21s face Serbia and Montenegro in a friendly on June 2 at Hull's Kingston Communications Stadium.

Then, on June 10, they have a European Championship qualifier against Slovakia at the Stadium of Light, Sunderland.

Published Wednesday, May 21, 2003