Blackburn manager Mark Hughes wants to tie England midfielder David Bentley to a lucrative new contract as he does not have "millions and millions" to spend on a replacement.

Bentley still has three years to run on his current deal but Hughes said the player was being rewarded for another "exceptional" season.

Meanwhile, Hughes will wait a couple of weeks before deciding whether to offer a contract to Swiss midfielder Johann Vogel.

On Bentley, Hughes said: "With David we are trying to recognise the progress that he has made in the last year. He signed a new contract as recently as last year but he has had another exceptional season and has become a full international and so we are trying to recognise that.

"We are talking to David's advisors. We think we can make it work.

"We want to keep our better players here, we cannot go into the market and spend millions and millions - we have to ensure the quality players we have remain at the club."

Hughes will not make a hasty decision about Vogel, who is a free agent after having been released from Spanish side Real Betis, nor on Quinton Fortune, who is also training with Rovers in the hope of getting a contract.

"Nothing will be decided in the next couple of weeks," said Hughes. "Vogel has the right pedigree but his career came to a stop because he had a dispute with his previous club that took six months to untangle.

"I've seen him play many many times and he is the right quality but the situation is we have to see if he would be fit enough to make an impact over the rest of the season."

Hughes added that a decision on former Manchester United winger Fortune would also be delayed because the South African has picked up a minor hamstring injury.

Blackburn are on a good run having only lost one out of their last 10 Premier League games and should take another step towards Europe if they beat relegation-threatened Fulham on Saturday.

David Dunn is still doubtful with a calf strain though he may return to training on Friday.

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