Bentley: Going nowhere

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• Blackburn Rovers
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• David Bentley
• Paul Gallagher

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Blackburn chairman John Williams has insisted that David Bentley will not be leaving the club.

Bentley has been in fine form this season and reports have suggested that Newcastle boss Kevin Keegan is interested in signing the midfielder.

However, Williams maintains that he has not yet been contacted by Newcastle and has quashed talk of a sale.

He has also revealed that discussions over a new deal for Bentley are moving ahead smoothly.

"Our position is clear, David Bentley is not for sale," Williams told the Lancashire Telegraph.

"We've not heard anything from Newcastle or anyone else and we wouldn't welcome any interest.

"We stated recently that we wanted to sit down with David and his agent to discuss a new deal.

"He only signed a new contract in the recent past but we felt that his performances this season were such that it warranted us to sit down with him and discuss a new contract and talks are progressing well."

Gallagher could stay

Williams also believes there is a chance Paul Gallagher may stay at Ewood Park after the transfer window closes.

Gallagher has been on loan at Preston this season and manager Alan Irvine is keen to have him back, but Williams is not sure Mark Hughes will let him go.

"It's a decision for the manager," said Williams. "Mark has always admired Paul and if he feels he has a role to play then he'll stay with us and that could happen.

"But, if not, Paul could go back out on loan. We'll just have to wait and see."