Mark Hughes is confident Blackburn will not be pressed into selling David Bentley amid reports Liverpool are planning a £10million summer bid.The England winger has recently been linked with a move to Anfield as Rovers look to secure Bentley's long-term future at the club.

Blackburn sold Craig Bellamy to Liverpool two years ago after the Anfield club activated a clause in the Welsh striker's contract.

But Hughes is adamant there will be now repeat regarding Bentley and is keen to reward the former Arsenal youngster for his progress.

"We have contract protection and we don't have to sell anybody," said Hughes in The Sun.

"We only sell our assets when we're forced to. We wouldn't have been able to have Craig for 12 months unless we gave him that release clause - everybody understood the situation.

"I'm very comfortable about David's new contract. It's not about trying to tie him to the club.

"It's because he has done very well and we need to reward him."

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