ROVERS have issued a hands-off warning to QPR in their pursuit of midfielder Elliott Bennett.

QPR boss Ian Holloway is thought to be an admirer of the 28-year-old and enquired about the possibility of taking the versatile midfielder to Loftus Road.

However, Rovers have no intention of selling Bennett, who emerged as a key figure in the second half of last season, and reports suggest that QPR won’t now follow up that interest.

Boss Tony Mowbray is determined to keep hold of his star names as he looks to plot an immediate challenge for promotion back to the Championship.

Bennett, who has completed 90 minutes twice in pre-season so far, featured in 13 of the 15 games in which Mowbray was in charge at the back end of the season, having established himself as a key man in the Rovers midfield.

The former Norwich City man, who has 12 months left to run on his current contract, struggled to break in to the side under Owen Coyle after being injured on the opening day of last season.

But a strong showing at Loftus Road in Rovers’ FA Cup third round win saw Bennett haul himself back in contention to feature 30 times in all.

He won the club's goal of the season prize, for his long range effort in the FA Cup fourth round win over Blackpool in January.  He has also netted twice so far this pre-season in wins over York City and Morecambe.