Former England striker Darren Bent says Matty Cash has "earned the right" to play in the Premier League.
The Nottingham Forest defender is reportedly close to a £12m move to Bent's old club, Aston Villa.
Bent feels Cash is ready for the step up after being named Forest's player of the season.
Bent told Football Insider: “I still think they need a little bit Premier League experience, they definitely need another centre-forward, I know that for a fact, someone that’ll stick the ball in the net.
“I like Matty Cash, I think he’s played well enough for a sustained amount of time now and has earned the right to try the Premier League and give it a go.
“If they can beat West Ham out for his signing then brilliant.”
West Ham have been linked with a move for Cash for much of the summer, with Sheffield United and Fulham also understood to be keen on the 23-year-old right-back.
