England manager Roy Hodgson is giving Darren Bent every chance to prove himself fit for this summer's European Championship.

On a day when Harry Redknapp revealed that Tottenham's Scott Parker is a major doubt for the tournament and Manchester United confirmed that Chris Smalling would be ruled out, Sportsmail has learned that Aston Villa striker Bent received a second visit from England physiotherapist Gary Lewin earlier this week.

Fitness battle: midfielder Scott Parker (left)

Bent has not played since February after rupturing ankle ligaments in his left foot but he told Lewin he would be fit to play in both of England's warmup friendlies against Norway and Belgium.

That was good news for Hodgson, who names his Euro 2012 squad on Wednesday, but the new national manager faces a problem with his forward line.

Wayne Rooney is suspended for the opening two matches and Danny Welbeck is nursing an ankle injury. Parker, who captained England in the last friendly against Holland, has sustained a painful achilles injury, having played just one minute of his club's past three matches.

He is expected to miss Spurs' crucial final-day clash at home to Fulham  on Sunday as they chase a Champions League place and manager Redknapp warned: 'It's not getting any worse - but at the moment it is not getting any better, so that's a concern long term.

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