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Derby skipper Richard Keogh reckons sacked Aston Villa boss Paul Lambert must regret loaning out in-form striker Darren Bent.

The former England hitman has made an instant impact for promotion-chasing County with four goals in five games.

And Rams captain Keogh has hailed super sub Bent as a lethal “ice-cold predator” in front of goal.

The 31-year-old scored in the previous round against Chesterfield and is set to make only his second start for Steve McClaren’s side with Chris Martin injured.

Bent was surplus to requirements at Villa, where Lambert didn’t rate the striker who was loaned out last season to Fulham and Brighton earlier this term.

That is despite Villa only scoring 12 League goals this season in 25 games which contributed to the team’s slide into the drop zone and the sacking of Lambert.

But Bent has been a smash hit at County and is in red-hot form ahead of Reading’s visit in the FA Cup after his assist and goal at Bournemouth in a 2-2 draw in midweek.

Irish defender Keogh, 28, said: “He and Paul Lambert came to a decision where he felt he didn’t need Darren and we are lucky to have him.

“In hindsight everyone can look at it and think they are not scoring a lot of goals and there is a striker here who has played for England and scored a lot of goals in the Premier League.

“Darren has been great ever since he walked through the door. January can be quite a tough time to move but he has settled in really well.

“With Benty you know what you are going to get. He is a fantastic finisher with great movement.

“He set up the first one and scored a great second one at Bournemouth. It is great looking around and knowing you can call on someone like him to get goals.

“He is a predator in front of goal and ruthless. In training when I look over and see the boys finishing he very rarely misses the target.

“I think that shows because he goes cold in front of goal and it doesn’t really faze him.

“He finishes chances and I think that is what you have got to be as a striker.”

(Image: Harry Engels)

Derby have Bent, who cost Villa £18million in January 2011, until the end of the season as his loan has no recall and he is likely to join permanently if they go up.

Keogh believes Derby’s gain is Villa’s loss as he reflects on Lambert’s sacking this week. He added: “I know he is with us now and is enjoying his football.

“It is credit to him he wanted to go and play football and get back on the pitch and enjoy his football again.

“He is in an environment here where he is enjoying it. He knows the manager and he has really taken to this group of players.

“He has over 100 Premier League goals and he was probably about 26 when he did that which speaks for itself.”