Anyone who watched Bentley's last 6-8 games for Blackburn would have noticed he has become visibly tired. I remember watching him closely in our last match against Reading and thinking to myself he looks so tired. He actually had a good game that day (compared to his last few previously), but he was really forcing himself to run around at points. He has just had his first FULL season in the Premiership - he has not played much before at this level. Additionally, he has been working extra hard in the gym throughout the season on his strength (and we have all seen the improvements there). He has made not made this decision lightly at all, and dicussed the issue at length with Hughes. We will benefit this decision, but ultimately it will be Bentley who will benefit as he will come back fresher and will be able to hit the ground running. For those who say he will be overlooked for England because of his actions, I do not think this will be the case. He will improve and get better (more so with the rest he will have this summer), and this will result in him becoming an even better footballer, and barring injury his form will take him into the England squad/team on a regular basis in my view.

It jus shows what k**bs Pearce and McClaren are. There has been a few warnings this was going to happen and Hughes even spoke to Pearce on Wednesday night, saying he considered pulling Bentley out of the squad. Pearce comments are unnacceptable in my opinion. He should stick to what he knows best, being a passionate shyte manager.

Woken up this morning reading all the garbage about Bentley. Very angry about this. Glad Hughes has spoken out.

I cannot be bothered to read some of the posts on this. The boy is drained and you could see the affect on his performaces in the later end of the season. Got to go with Sparky on this one, Pearce can (Please don't use that word again) off.

I asked Bentley at the end of the season, are you looking forward to the summer - he said no, I am not, I have to play football and I am absolutely knackered!!

Like his days at Boro, McLaren is a boring, dull coach. He is under pressure so has to play the safety card in playing the more experienced players, even those of had a poor season (or hardly played at all for their clubs). Bentley is probably thinking he has to move clubs to get a proper chance at international level. He has had the season of his life yet still can't get any game time in a struggling England team (not even in a friendly as a sub). Thankfully, I think he will be with us for more season at least.

I think this may be the article.....

Latest Jose comments suggest he is not after a striker..........?

Toshack hits back at Savage criticism Slight dig at Hughes Wales record as well I think.....

Full Savage blast here! Well said Rob.

I think if Bentley was a Spurs player he would have come on....

Get a grip Maclaren you ######.

Interesting to hear how nice Karen Brady was to Dunny! What is the problem with the Big Club and us - they seem to have a massive chip on their shoulder - jealously maybe? Just listened to all of it, excellent interview, worth a listen.

Not sure I want him to sign, he was so frustrating to watch at times last season. Don't think I can handle that again - also can he ever stay fit for long enough these days....

England footballers are over-rated and over-hyped. Scholes is class. Players like Terry, Lampard have never performed on the world stage.

England fans have got to accept Beckham is one of the (very) few English 'world class' players about. Technically he is right up there.

Remember Nonda should be with us as well next season.

So far in this close season, I have the same feeling as this time last year. I do not particularly enjoy seeing our (good) players linked with other clubs for whatever reason. However, as Hughes has pointed out, we had no choice but to let Bellamy go because of his release clause. The only thing in this episode I would comment on is that Hughes will be annoyed after he made comments dismissing Benni's claims after they originally came out.

Unfair to judge Roberts until he starts a few games. He has come on as a sub recently in difficult conditions.

Bentley's influence got the hosts back in the game. "He's like our mini-Zidane - a class act," was how he was described in the matchday programme notes by Nigel Reo-Coker, who became the first England skipper to lead a team out at the stadium. Former Arsenal midfielder Bentley also received praise from one of the finest playmakers to have graced the English game. "He was outstanding," said Gianfranco Zola, a hero for Chelsea at the old Wembley and now technical consultant to the Azzurri's U21s.

I am pretty such Hughes will ask the board to hold onto Bentley at all costs. He is only going to get better.

Bentley was playing fairly central today. He is much stronger physically this season. In a couple of years he will be an excellent central midfielder in my view. He moves well off the ball, a bit like Tugay.

When they were talking about Bentley prior to the Man City match on Sky, Savage said 'not bad for £500k'.

Steve Mclaren was at our Bolton and Arsenal matches recently. In both those games, Bentley did not play well at all. I would say Warnock has an outside chance as he has been playing really well (as well as in those matches Mclaren was at!).

I would go for Bellamy. Just his sheer pace makes other teams scared. There is not much in it though, as they are different types of players and have different qualities. Overall, the departure of Bellamy has not really affected us because Benni has done so well. On injuries, it has been more our inability to play a settled side which has disrupted us (particularly in the first half of the season). Whilst we have had injuries in 2007, they are long-term ones so we have been able to have some continuity.