BLACKBURN Rovers chairman John Willi-ams has told wantaway midfielder David Bent-ley his fate rests in the hands of the club's new manager.

Bentley dropped a bombshell on managerless Rovers last night when he publicly stated he wants a move this summer to help further his career.

However, Williams and the Rovers board insist the England star will not be allowed to leave, unless the man they appoint to succeed Mark Hughes believes it is in the club's best interests.

Speaking exclusively to the Lancashire Telegraph, Williams said: "Our position is quite clear - this is not something we will even discuss until the new manager is in place.

"Then, once the new man is appointed, he will get exactly the same level of support that we gave Mark Hughes in regard to all player related dealings.

"Right now though, my mind is one hundred per cent focused on getting a new manager."

Bentley first asked the club for a move before the final game of last season, but Hughes told him he was going nowhere.

Williams said: "David had a meeting with Mark Hughes and I before the end of last season, in which he told us he wanted to test himself at a higher level, so it's not news to us.

"At the time, Mark told David it would be in his best interests and the club's if he stayed for another year, and we gave Mark our full support."

The 23-year-old midfielder has been linked with a move away from East Lancashire after two outstanding seasons for Rovers, in which he has elevated himself into an England regular.

"I made it clear to the club what I wanted to do," said Bentley.

"The situation is I want to move on. I want to be playing Champions League football, or in Europe.

"And the club's situation has changed over the last few weeks so I'm not really up on where they are at. They have got to sort out which manager is going to come in.

"I've been here for three years and I love the club and I love playing for them but I feel like I've done everything I can.

"I want to move on and try and push up the ladder and push on and try and be as successful as I can be in football and I believe that lies elsewhere.

"I want a new challenge. I believe I have done as much as I can at the club and want to push on somewhere else."

Bentley made a permanent switch to Rovers in January 2006 - following a previous year-long loan - after failing to make a breakthrough at Arsenal.

He has since developed into one of Blackburn's most important players and is now regarded as the heir to David Beckham on the right-hand side of England's midfielder.

And after two-and-a-half seasons at Ewood Park, Bentley hopes he has re-paid any debt to the club.

He added: "I owe so much to them and I hope I've repaid them with the way I've played.

"But I need to be pushing and moving on somewhere else so we'll see what the summer can bring and in this transfer window hopefully something can be sorted out."

Bentley denied Hughes' move to Eastlands played a part in his desire to leave, insisting he made Rovers clear of his position earlier in the summer.

He said: "I discussed things with the manager then and the chairman and I made it clear I wanted to move on.

"Their situation has changed but mine hasn't. I need to be pushing on and moving on and that is what I am looking to do."