DOUBLE UPDATE - The Guvn’a admits Aston Villa have lodged a formal offer, but says the reason for leaving Bentley off tonight’s roster against Macclesfield was due to a calf injury.

UPDATE - David Bentley has pulled out (either his or both clubs decision) of Blackburn’s friendly against Macclesfield at Moss Road tonight.

On his way to Tottenham?

Blackburn’s search for a replacement following the loss of head coach Mark Hughes to Manchester City has become just a bit more difficult as David Bentley has informed them of his intentions to leave the club for bigger matches.

The former Arsenal man (who’s spent three years at Ewood Park) is looking for consistent Champions League games,not just the one or two Uefa Cup matches every other year and feels his best opportunities would lie outside of Blackburn.

He said; “I’ve got ambitions to play for England and I want to be playing in the biggest games I can, and I believe that lies playing somewhere else.

“My decision is not money, it is purely based on football. I just want to be playing at the highest level.

“There are clubs interested but it lies in Blackburn’s hands. Managers that come in want to keep their best players but my decision has been made and nobody could persuade me to change my mind.”

This is an interesting case considering Bentley first started with Arsenal. He couldn’t break through to the starting 11, went on loan to Norwich City and Blackburn before his permanent transfer and finally broke through and established himself as one of the best young players in England.

Now feeling that his best chance to continue his development lies outside the club that allowed him to develop seems to run just a little deeper than meets the eye. Could it be the loss of Hughes was the final straw?

image via Gmgrd