Blackburn Rovers captain hopeful Bentley will stay

11:19am Tuesday 8th July 2008

Comments (0)   Have your say »

RYAN Nelsen is still hopeful Blackburn Rovers will be able to hang on to David Bentley, even though the midfielder has expressed a desire to leave.

“The club isn’t in a position where it has to sell, so it doesn’t need to,” said the Kiwi.

“I guess it’s a decision the manager and the player involved has to make.

“But this is a good club and everyone is happy, so whatever happens, happens.”

Although Bentley has made his feelings crystal clear about leaving, Nelsen has dismissed suggestion that will affect his relationship with the rest of the squad.

He added: “For us, he’s a team-mate and he will remain so until the club decides to let him go, if they do.

“These things happen in the game and we try to understand where he’s coming from.

“There’s no animosity towards him. At the end of the day, it’s his decision and you can’t hold that against someone, because it’s a personal decision, and hopefully the fans will understand as well.

“He’s given very good service to Blackburn and if he does end up leaving then I think the club will be compensated very well, so it’s a win-win.”