Hughes: Bentley going nowhere
Mark Hughes insists England midfielder David Bentley will not be leaving Blackburn this summer.
The 23-year-old has impressed following his move from Arsenal in January 2006 and was rewarded by being called up to the national team for the Euro 2008 qualifier against Israel in September last year.
Bentley is in talks with Blackburn over a new contract but the player has admitted he is desperate for European football and is keen to play at the highest level ahead of the 2010 World Cup.
Bentley has been linked with a move away from the Lancashire club but manager Hughes has dismissed the reports.
Hughes said: “We don’t have to sell David Bentley and we aren’t looking to sell him.
“The speculation happens every year with our better players but if you look back, not many have ultimately been allowed to go.
“That’s because we know we will be weakened as a consequence so we are not looking to sell any of our major players and I don’t expect it to happen.
“David Bentley has a good contract here and there is good length on that contract so we don’t have to sell.”
