CHARLTON'S sale of leading scorer Darren Bent took a new twist when Newcastle entered the bidding for the England striker.

With Michael Owen's future at St James's Park becoming increasingly uncertain, Newcastle manager Sam Allardyce turned his attentions to Bent who fits the bill for the role of lone striker in his preferred 4-5-1 formation.

Newcastle moved into contention as Charlton chief executive Peter Varney reiterated the club's stance over their £17million valuation of the player.

He was responding to Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy's declaration that the club had agreed a record £16million for Bent.

Mr Varney retorted: "Despite what's coming out of Tottenham, nobody, apart from West Ham, has matched our valuation.

"It's unfortunate that the Tottenham chairman is conducting his business through the media."

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