Paul Lambert insists claims that Darren Bent is being left out of his Aston Villa side for financial reasons are "absolute drivel."
The Villa manager has made it clear he will continue to exercise his right to omit the club's £24 million record signing, if it is in the best interests of the club, as Bent's future remains under intense scrutiny ahead of facing Queens Park Rangers on Saturday.
Bent claims he has been fit for the last four games, despite Villa claiming he had an ankle injury for the matches against Manchester City and Manchester United and his absence has generated fervent rumours Villa will have to pay Sunderland £3 million as the final instalment of his transfer fee when he reaches 50 appearances for the club.