Bent joins Boro

Middlesbrough have signed striker Marcus Bent on a two-month emergency loan deal from Birmingham.

Bent has yet to feature for the Blues this season having been kept on the sidelines due to a recurring hamstring injury.

And Birmingham manager Alex McLeish is hoping that both the club and player benefit from the loan, telling the club's official website: "Going up there for two months is an opportunity for him."

He added: "When it's time for him to come back he'll hopefully be in great form and pushing for a place in the team.

"He's obviously had one or two setbacks with injuries, but he's a big, strong centre forward with pace, presence and when he's on top form he's an asset."

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