Hughes hoping for Bentley stay

Blackburn boss opens contract discussions with midfield ace

By Peter Fraser   Last updated: 6th March 2008

Bentley David Blackburn v Bolton

Bentley: To be offered new deal

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Blackburn manager Mark Hughes is confident David Bentley will soon agree a new contract at Ewood Park.

Bentley signed new terms with Rovers last year, but the former Arsenal midfielder has gone on to star this season and his impressive form has earned him three England caps.

And Hughes has revealed Blackburn are in discussions with Bentley's representatives as they attempt to offer the 23-year-old a deal to reflect his international status.

Exceptional

"We are at the right end of the Premier League and players can see we are trying to push the club forward and they want to be part of that," Hughes told Sky Sports News.

"With David we are trying to recognise the progress he has made in the last year.

"He has had another exceptional season and become a full international so we want to try and reflect that.

"We have got to look after our players and recognise when they are doing well for us. We are talking to David's advisors. We think we can make it work.

"We want to keep our better players here, we cannot go into the market and spend millions and millions - we have to ensure the quality players we have remain at the club."

Hughes - who has guided Blackburn to seventh place in the league - also insists his side still have their eyes on a place in Europe next season.

Blackburn host relegation-threatened Fulham on Saturday and Hughes believes his side can record the points required to qualify for the Uefa Cup from their final 10 league games.

"We'll keep going," added Hughes. "With the run in and the games we have we are really excited by the situation and think we can go close."

Vogel

Meanwhile, Hughes will wait a couple of weeks before deciding whether to offer Johann Vogel, who is a free agent after being released by Real Betis, a contract.

The Swiss midfielder is training with Rovers in an attempt to impress Hughes, but the Blackburn boss is adamant he will not be rushed.

"I've seen him play many times and he is the right quality but the situation is we have to see if he would be fit enough to make an impact over the rest of the season," Hughes concluded.