TOP agent Jonathan Barnett will advise Ipswich striker Darren Bent against a move to Premiership giants Newcastle.The Geordies plan to resurrect their bid to lure the 19-year-old goal ace to Tyneside – but Barnett is adamant that such a move would not be good for his client.

By Mel Henderson

TOP agent Jonathan Barnett will advise Ipswich striker Darren Bent against a move to Premiership giants Newcastle.

The Geordies plan to resurrect their bid to lure the 19-year-old goal ace to Tyneside – but Barnett is adamant that such a move would not be good for his client.

"I will tell Darren that joining Newcastle would not be good for him or his career at this moment in time," Barnett insisted today.

"Look at the number of strikers they have up there. Darren will get a game now and again, but how is that going to benefit him?"

But Bent, who netted 18 times last season when he often appeared as a substitute, is keeping his options open.

He said: "I don't know anything about Newcastle coming in for me. I have not heard anything from the club.

"I am just going to wait and see what happens. Until something definite happens there is no point in me saying anything else."

Bent is currently with the England Under-21 squad ahead of Monday's friendly clash against Serbia and Montenegro at Hull's Kingston Communications Stadium.

England also take on Slovakia in a European Championship qualifier at the Stadium of Light, on June 10.

Ipswich have stressed that no bid has been received for Bent, either from Newcastle or any other club, but they are only too aware of considerable interest in their player.

The Geordies failed with a £3million double offer for Bent and best pal Darren Ambrose in February, but eventually signed the latter the following month for a cut-price £1m that reflected Town's desperation for cash.

Ex-Ipswich boss Sir Bobby Robson has maintained his interest in Bent ever since and is expected to make a firm offer later in the close season.

But Barnett, who also looks after the interests of Town skipper Matt Holland and former Portman Road favourites Kieron Dyer, Titus Bramble and Richard Wright, stressed a move to St James' Park would not be in Bent's best interests.

He added: "Darren Ambrose has gone there and I am not convinced he will benefit either. It would be better for him if he was playing every week and that isn't necessarily going to happen just yet."

Newcastle are not the only club who have been keeping tabs on Bent, whose reputation soared last season.

Everton boss David Moyes made a number of personal checks on the player and Charlton manager Alan Curbishley also liked what he saw during several visits to Portman Road.

Despite Town's exit from administration, other clubs know only too well that they are vulnerable to offers for any of their players.