Blackburn manager Mark Hughes believes midfielder David Bentley deserves to retain his starting place in the England side for Wednesday's match against France in Paris.

Despite striker Roque Santa Cruz being awarded man of the match for his two goals in the defeat of Wigan, Bentley was the real star in a depleted midfield.

The 17th-minute sending-off of Christopher Samba for pulling down Emile Heskey could have seen Rovers struggle but Hughes' bold approach undoubtedly won them the game.

Andre Ooijer moved into central defence, Steven Reid dropped to right-back and Bentley switched to a pivotal role in a three-man midfield.

The 23-year-old had already set up Santa Cruz's 11th-minute opener when his shot from the left was parried by Chris Kirkland, allowing the Paraguayan to nod home from close range.

But from a central position he dominated play with an outstanding range of passing and, having hit the post with a deflected first-half free-kick, he set up the crucial third goal.

Bursting down the left in the 63rd minute he crossed with his weaker foot to the far post where Santa Cruz stooped to head home.

It was the perfect message to send to England coach Fabio Capello.

"He made a case for himself the last time he played (for England against Switzerland in February)," said Hughes.

"I thought he was one of the better players on that occasion.

"He has made a good start to the tenure of Mr Capello and he continues to play well."

In a reference to David Beckham's recall for the friendly against France, Hughes added: "Maybe the circumstances of the game (in Paris) and maybe the personnel available will have a bearing on whether he starts."

Bentley was a class above against Wigan and Hughes has to be praised for putting so much faith in the player when it would have been easier to replace a striker with Tugay or Aaron Mokoena when they went down to 10 men.

"We put David in a more central role and he was able to dictate the play from there," said the Rovers boss.

"He will always retain possession for you but looks to create and I thought his longer passing was excellent.

"He was always able to give us an outlet by releasing Jason Roberts or Roque."

Hughes is so impressed with the development of the former Arsenal trainee he wants him to sign an improved contract.

However, the manager is not worried about bigger clubs - Liverpool have been linked with a £12million summer move - trying to attempt Bentley away from Ewood Park.

"All we are trying to do with the contract is reward him for the progress he has made," added Hughes.

"At the end of the day we have got contract protection so that is not really the issue.

"He has done exceptionally well but he is very conscious of the fact he is not the finished article.

"David keeps working hard on his game every day because he wants to be the best he can be.

"He is trying to become a better player every time he comes to work and that is a credit to him."

Credit should also go to Hughes for his attacking approach in keeping two strikers on the pitch in a 4-3-2 formation following Samba's dismissal.

He was rewarded with two goals for Santa Cruz and one for Roberts, who collected his strike partner's 44th-minute flick-on, turned Emmerson Boyce on the edge of the penalty area and fired left-footed past Chris Kirkland.

It was the least they deserved for their efforts after being pegged back by Marlon King's first goal for Wigan since his January transfer from Watford.

A lapse in the Rovers defence allowed Heskey to race clear and although he went down easily under Samba's challenge referee Mike Dean had no option but to award a penalty and dismiss the defender.

King converted from the spot but that was the closest Wigan came to their opponents all afternoon.

They were not helped by the loss of defender Erik Edman to a suspected ruptured anterior cruciate ligament just before the interval and by the time Wigan had midfielder Wilson Palacios dismissed for a second bookable tackle on David Dunn the match was already beyond them.

"We kept the two guys up front because I thought we needed to be positive," said Hughes, whose side moved to within a point of sixth-placed Portsmouth in the race for a UEFA Cup place.

"We are trying to win games at this time of year because draws are not really good enough for us.

"I'm very pleased with how we applied ourselves and made sure we are in a position to have a say on who is going to qualify in terms of Europe."

Wigan manager Steve Bruce was disappointed his side's four-match unbeaten run had ended in such a dismal way.

"I couldn't pick an individual who has lived up to the performances of late," he said.

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