DARREN Bent has issued a use me or lose me to Albion ultimatum to Aston Villa manager Paul Lambert.

The former England marksman is relishing his loan spell with the Seagulls and would rather remain on the South Coast than returning to the West Midlands to sit on the bench.

Bent nodded his second goal in four games in ten-man Albion’s 1-1 draw at Wolves on Saturday.

His loan is due to end after two more matches, at home to Reading on Boxing Day and at his old club Fulham three days later.

Bent told The Argus: "I’ve enjoyed myself here. Everyone has been fantastic. If it’s a case of me staying down here or going back to Villa and not playing, sitting on the bench, I’d rather stay at Brighton.

“I’ve loved playing for Aston Villa but, at the end of the day, there’s only so much someone can take. And if I’m going to go back and not play and sit on the bench I’d rather stay here, because since I’ve been at Brighton it’s been fantastic and I’ve loved every minute of it.”

Bent believes a run of games with Albion, after being constantly overlooked by Lambert, is helping rekindle his best form.

He said: “You are looking at probably two years maybe, since my big injury, since I’ve had that, so it’s been brilliant. I’ve got to thank Sami Hyypia for coming and getting me and giving me an opportunity to play.

“Every game I feel I’m getting sharper and better, back to my old self. As a striker you always thrive on getting chances and scoring goals. The more I’m playing the more I feel I can get back to my old self.”

Hyypia would love to strike a deal with Villa to keep Bent for the rest of the season to boost his side’s bid for Championship survival.

He said: “At the moment I don’t know. Of course, I would like to keep that kind of goalscorer until the end of the season but I don’t know if it’s possible.

“I haven’t asked Darren yet his opinion. We’ll speak and then we’ll see. It’s very important for any team when somebody is putting the ball in the back of the net.”