CHARLTON have hinted for the first time that leading scorer Darren Bent could be sold in the January transfer window.

Manager Alan Pardew had vowed that the striker was staying put, but admitted on Friday that the player’s knee ligament injury had changed the situation.

He said: "His injury is the problem and if someone goes for him in this window, they are going to have to wait five to six weeks for him to recover. That club might be in a position to do that where as I might not be.

"If he hadn’t suffered the injury then the decision was categoric in my mind that he was not going."

Tottenham are believed to have offered £7million, which is below Charlton’s asking price.

West Ham, managed by former Addicks boss Alan Curbishley who bought him to The Valley from Ispwich, have a huge war chest of transfer funds available and could meet the £10million fee.

Money received for Bent would strengthen Pardew’s hand in the January market.

He confirmed his interest in 18-year-old Arsenal striker Anthony Stokes but dismissed speculation linking the club with Andy Cole.

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