Ince determined to keep Bentley as his driving force

Blackburn manager Paul Ince insists he is determined to keep David Bentley despite Aston Villa's offer for the England midfielder.

Bentley has hinted he would like to leave Ewood Park and Ince confirmed Villa have made a firm bid for the former Arsenal trainee, but the Rovers boss has no intention of losing his star player without a fight.

Ince, speaking after his side's 2-1 friendly win over Macclesfield on Monday, said: “As for the David Bentley situation, that will not go away, only time will tell whether he is here in August.

“We have had an offer from Aston Villa, but I do not want him to go.

“He would have played at Macclesfield if he had not been injured. He will have a couple of days off and I hope to take him to Germany on Wednesday for our training trip.”

Ince rejected suggestions he would sell American goalkeeper Brad Friedel or Paraguay striker Roque Santa Cruz, who are both attracting interest from Premier League clubs.

The former Manchester United midfielder also dismissed reports of a move for Tottenham stopper Paul Robinson.

“When I came to Blackburn I said I wanted to keep my best players and Brad Friedel comes into that category, he is one of the best 'keepers in the Premier League,” Ince said.

“There is no interest from me in Paul Robinson, as far as I am concerned I want to keep Brad. I do not want to sell Brad, so why should I want Paul Robinson?”