Hughes' Warnock Surprise

Blackburn Rovers manager Mark Hughes has expressed his surprise that Stephen Warnock wasn't named in Fabio Capello's provisional 30-man England squad. However, he was delighted to see David Bentley named not only in that, but the final 23-man squad as well.

Warnock has had a few downers this season but on the whole he has been superb (as he has since his arrival from Liverpool) so Hughes was very surprised to see him left out of this squad, even more so after Capello would've seen the left-back first hand when we played Aston Villa recently, that he didn't give him a call.

Hughes told the Official Blackburn Rovers Website: "My understanding was that Mr Capello was at our game against Villa last week and I have to say that I thought Stephen Warnock was, along with probably Andre Ooijer, our outstanding performer on the day.

"So he's obviously seen what Stephen can do, but I guess the other left-backs must be playing exceptionally well at the moment."

However, Sparky was delighted with the inclusion of Bentley and believes that after the hard work, effort and quality that Bents has shown over the past 18-months to two-years he now deserves his first start for England after two substitute appearances. If he gets this Sparky believes that Bents can make the right-sided midfield position his own.

Hughes added: "We're delighted for David.

"It's been the result of consistent performances over an 18-month to two-year period we feel. He's consistently hit a level that's enabled him to shine in games for us and, in fairness, when he's been involved in squads with England before.

"What we hope now is that he's going to get an opportunity to start games and if that's the case, then we have great confidence that David will be able to make that right-hand side of the field for England his own.

"He just needs the opportunity to start games and if he does, then people will see the quality that he could offer."


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