BLACKBURN Rovers are interested in bringing David Bentley back to the club as manager Sam Allardyce continues to make January plans – despite speculation about Kentaro’s influence over the choice of signings.

Bentley had a successful three-year spell at Ewood Park before joining Spurs for £15m in the summer of 2008, but the 26-year-old has rarely rediscovered his best form in north London and is now well down the pecking order at White Hart Lane.

Rovers are believed to be in the market for a midfielder as well as a striker in the January transfer window, when they will have money to spend following the club’s takeover by Indian company Venky’s, and it is understood that Bentley is a player Allardyce admires.

Speculation persists about what influence Kentaro will have over potential signings, with representatives of the sports agency meeting Venky’s this week to discuss Rovers’ Janu-ary budget.

Reports suggest senior figures at the club have expressed concern about the standard of players being recommended by Kentaro, but it remains to be seen who will have the final decision over incoming transfers.

Allardyce will be keen to stay in full control of that aspect of club affairs and is pressing on with his plans for January, assembling a list of targets as he waits to find out his exact budget.

The Rovers boss has looked at a number of strikers with Premier League experience – including Roque Santa Cruz, Robbie Keane, John Carew, David Ngog and Jo - and is also assessing his midfield targets.

Even though he was not in charge at the time, Allardyce is well aware of Bentley’s success at Ewood the first time around.

The former Arsenal youngster became a regular in the England squad and was labelled ‘the new David Beckham’ for a period after his fine performances for Rovers, before opting to join boyhood club Tottenham in an attempt to progress his career.

That did not work out and Harry Redknapp is expected to be willing to part with Bentley in January – with reports suggesting Spurs may decide to loan him out for a fee of £1m if a permanent sale would result in too great a loss on the £15m they paid for the right footer.

Rovers could face serious competition, however, with Aston Villa, Fulham, Sunderland, Birmingham, Everton and Galatasaray also among those to be linked.