DAVID Bentley has today agreed a new long-term contract with Blackburn Rovers.

The in-form midfielder, who has been in outstanding form so far this season, has put pen to paper on a brand new deal which ties him to the club until the summer of 2011.

The news comes as a major boost to manager Mark Hughes ahead of tomorrow's FA Cup fifth round replay with Bentley's former club Arsenal.

A delighted Hughes said: "David has really blossomed this season to produce a consistently high level of performance. He is a great talent with a big future and we are delighted to have signed him up for the long term."

Chairman John Williams added: "David is widely regarded as one of the best young footballers in the country and this represents a very significant deal for the club, underpinning our determination to continue to move forward with ambition.

Signed from Arsenal for a bargain £750,000 fee 14 months ago, Bentley has become one of the most influential figures in Hughes' squad this term, scoring six goals and supplying a number of assists.

That kind of scintillating form led to speculation linking him with a move to Manchester United in January, and Hughes recently led the calls for Bentley to be included in the senior England squad.

Securing the player on a new long-term deal is therefore a major plus for Hughes, who sees Bentley as the man to replace Tugay in the centre of midfield when the Turk decides to call time on his career in England.