ROVERS star David Bentley hopes Thursday night's wonder-strike against Salzburg will be the catalyst that will send him and his side to greater things this season.

The 22-year-old's 25-yard stunner helped Rovers through to the group stages of the UEFA Cup, the draw for which is made on Tuesday, and the former Arsenal man is aiming to use that as a launch pad for the rest of the season.

Bentley burst on to the scene at Arsenal but was never able to really make the grade at Highbury but arrived at Ewood, after a loan spell at Norwich, and has begun to show the kind of form that has seen him become a regular for the England under-21s.

And Bentley believes that Blackburn is the right place for his talent to develop.

He said: "As a young player, coming through, Arsene Wenger didn't really have the time to nurture me.

"But I have come to Blackburn and Mark Hughes allows me to go out there, get on the ball and do what I can do.

"He doesn't give me any restrictions. When somebody says that, it is a great feeling. All he wants is to give it your all. If you give 100 per cent, he is really happy with it.

"Things have been tough. I hit the heights at Arsenal and got to see European football - even played in it for one minute - but I didn't get to carry on that feeling.

"So to come to a place like this and get into Europe. It is a great feeling for the me and for the club."

He added: "It was a tough time on loan at Norwich. I had about 15 minutes of first team experience and was thrown in at the deep end.

"I accepted that andwouldn't have wanted it any other way. I learned a lot.

"But with a permanent move, I have now got a burden off my back and can go out and enjoy my football. All my family are from Rochdale so it feels like I am back at home.

"I am still young and still learning every week. I am just looking to enjoy my football now and everyday life is good. I am happy."