CHARLTON have confirmed that leading scorer Darren Bent could miss up to four weeks after damaging his knee.

The 22-year-old, who has nine goals to his name this season - including two in new manager Alan Pardew's first two games in charge - strained ligaments in his knee during the 2-1 win over Aston Villa.

Before Tuesday's 4-0 defeat to Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium, Bent had been an ever-present in the Premiership.

Pardew admitted the injury is a blow as the side battles to maintain its top flight status, telling the club's official website: "We cannot afford to lose a player of that calibre for too long."

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