David Bentley says he has not ruled out leaving Blackburn to further his goal of becoming an England regular. The 23-year-old is in talks with Rovers over a new contract but admits he wants to play regular European football in order to gain England recognition.

“Time will tell over the next few months what will happen. It’s a big decision in my life. You never know in football. Sometimes you have to make strong decisions.”

Bentley has shown in the past he is willing to take difficult decisions, handing in a transfer request at Arsenal in 2005 in pursuit of first-team football, and was heavily linked with a move to Everton during the January transfer window.

He also caused controversy by making himself unavailable for England Under-21s last year, citing tiredness and his desire to extend his international career in the long term. Blackburn are seven points behind fifth-placed Everton in the race for a guaranteed Uefa Cup spot.

Bentley has also been strongly linked with Tottenham and Liverpool. With his request for European football, it seems Blackburn will be resigned to losing there star performer.