Hughes backing for Bentley

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The 22-year-old midfielder pulled out of the summer tournament because he feared he would suffer from fatigue in the 2007-08 campaign, which for Rovers begins tomorrow with an Intertoto Cup clash away to Lithuanian side Vilnius Vetra.

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Question mark: But boss Mark Hughes backs David Bentley over England U21 withdrawal

Under-21 boss Stuart Pearce was unhappy with Bentley's decision, which left the squad a player light, but Hughes does not feel it should affect the former Arsenal man's chances of a senior England call-up in the future.

"I was disappointed with the reaction of the management of England in questioning his decision and whether or not it has placed a question mark over him at senior level," he told the Daily Mirror.

"We told them if he had a break it would benefit not just ourselves, but the England group as well.

"If he becomes an option for senior selection, like he did last season, then I hope people don't hold it against him. He'll play as well as last year, if not even better, and he's already looking sharper."