FORMER Blackburn favourite Marcus Bent today insisted he will not be driven by revenge tomorrow as he aims to fire the goals to plunge Rovers deeper into relegation trouble.

Bent admits he was left 'hurt and bewildered' after he was bombed out by Rovers earlier this season.

But, as he prepares to return to Ewood with fellow strugglers Ipswich, the 23-year-old insists he does not bear a grudge towards manager Graeme Souness over the way his Blackburn career came shuddering to a halt.

"My time at Blackburn was good while it lasted and Graeme Souness taught me a number of things," said Bent.

"Obviously, it's never nice being left out by a manager but manager's have decisions to make.

"He has Andy Cole now. He is a more established player than me, and has played at the highest level so I'm sure Graeme will not have any regrets signing Andy.

"There was never animosity between myself and Graeme and I don't have a bad word to say about him."

Souness surprised everyone when he agreed to sell the former Sheffield United striker to the Blues for £3 million back in October.

Bent had played a pivotal role in Rovers' march to promotion last season, notching 11 goals as part of a deadly partnership with Matt Jansen, and was relishing the chance to prove himself in the Premiership.

But Souness then decided to make changes to his attack and Ipswich boss George Burley quickly seized his chance to snap up the surplus striker.

"I did not want to leave Blackburn but I didn't have much choice," said Bent.

"Once I heard Ipswich were interested and I came to see the place, spoke to the management, looked at the facilities and saw them play, it wasn't as hard for me to leave Blackburn.

"I was leaving a team which I had helped win promotion into the Premiership, I had a lot of friends there and I felt Manchester was home to me, so it was a hard decision.

"But coming to see Ipswich play against Inter Milan that night made it easier."

Bent made an explosive impact when he arrived at Portman Road, scoring seven goals in his first eight games to lift the Blues off the foot of the Premiership.

But, as he prepares for an emotional reunion, both Rovers and Ipswich find themselves embroiled in a relegation battle.

And the former England Under 21 is amazed to find his old team-mates in such a perilous position.

"It has really surprised me to see where Rovers are at the moment," said Bent.

"They don't have any weaknesses in the side.

"They have experienced professionals who have won medals, they have young players who have represented their country, and they have youngsters coming through who have earned international recognition and won silverware.

"So they have a good mix. It is a big set up, a big club and the year I was there everything was done very professionally.

"I fancy both teams to stay up. I would certainly like to see both teams in the Premiership next season but for the moment all I'm worrying about is Ipswich."