Bentley is the future for Capello

FABIO Capello’s reputation for hard-nosed decision-making faces it’s first test in the Stade de France this Wednesday. Should the England coach lay out a blueprint for the future and name a line-up that includes Blackburn’s David Bentley on the right hand side of midfield?

Or should he bow to sentiment and hand David Beckham a 100th cap to hang above his Los Angeles mantelpiece? That the debate is occurring at all speaks volumes about Beckham’s previous contributions to his country’s cause.

But while the former Manchester United man has been easing through his pre-season paces in the Californian sun with LA Galaxy, Bentley has been putting in the hard yards in the Premier League, and never more so than against Wigan on Saturday.

Bentley, 23, was the main reason Blackburn overcame the early loss of Chris Samba to a red card to win comfortably and sustain their hopes of qualifying for Europe.

It was the type of display that earns not only caps, but also attracts the interest of bigger clubs and Bentley’s team-mate Roque Santa Cruz admits Rovers face a battle to keep him.

“I have played with so many good players and won the Champions League at Bayern Munich but I can imagine Bentley playing in the best teams in the world,” said Santa Cruz, whose two goals on Saturday were both set-up by Bentley. “He has everything he needs to play for one of these teams and maybe it is just a matter of time.

“It is hard to say if Blackburn can keep him because if the player wants to try something different, that’s it.”

Santa Cruz headed Blackburn ahead in the 12th minute but Samba’s foul on Emile Heskey allowed Marlon King to quickly equalise from the penalty spot. Jason Roberts restored the lead on half-time and Santa Cruz secured the points shortly before Wigan’s Wilson Palacios was sent off for a second yellow card.

BLACKBURN (4-4-2): Friedel 7, Ooijer 7, Samba 3, Khizanishvili 7, Warnock 6, Bentley 9, Reid 7, Dunn 7 (Mokoena 84, 5), Pedersen 6, Santa Cruz 8 (McCarthy 89, 5), Roberts 7 (Tugay 78, 5).

Subs Not Used: Brown, Derbyshire.

WIGAN (4-4-2): Kirkland 5, Melchiot 6, Boyce 5, Scharner 6, Edman 6 (Taylor 41, 5), Valencia 6, Brown 7, Palacios 4, Kilbane 5, King 6 (Bent 64, 5), Heskey 6.

Subs Not Used: Pollitt, Aghahowa, Bramble.

REFEREE: Mike Dean (Wirral) 7: Was correct in his decision to send off Samba while Palacios’s rash challenge deservedly earned a second yellow card.

MATCH RATING: **** It’s that time of the year when the fixture list become pock-marked with meaningless clashes. This wasn’t one of them.