GLEN Little is hoping Rovers favourite David Bentley can help restore the art of the classic English winger.

The Reading wideman will play no part in tomorrow's Premier League showdown at Ewood Park as he's six months away from recovering from an Achilles operation.

And as the former Burnley man stays at home, frustrated at missing a return to East Lancashire with Steve Coppell's men, he knows his Royals team-mates will find it a tough task containing in-form Bentley.

Although not regarded as an out-and-out winger in the traditional English style, Bentley has made the right flank position his own at Ewood Park.

His stunning performances have elevated him to England's senior squad and, in competition with Shaun Wright-Phillips and Aaron Lennon, he is fighting to become heir to David Beckham on the right wing.

Little is a huge admirer of the 23-year-old, who has four goals to his name in all competitions this season, and insists the Rovers man is proving a shining light in an era of few gifted English wingers.

"David Bentley has really impressed me over the last year or so," admits Little. "He's got all the attributes of a top-class winger.

"Being a winger, I find it a bit of a shame that England don't seem to produce good young wide men any more, the traditional type that runs with the ball, takes players on, and gets the ball into the box.

"It seems to be a dying breed. But at the moment, Bentley has proved he can fill that wide right role at Blackburn.

"He deserves to be there for England and they need players like him.

"Now Beckham is out of the way, it's wide open for someone to come in.

"At the moment, Shaun Wright-Phillips looks to be first in line, and then there's Aaron Lennon, but he's injured.

"Bentley is in there with a shout and I'm sure he will get more of a chance to show what he can do."

It was during Blackburn's 2-1 Premier League victory at the Madejski Stadium last December that Bentley really caught Little's eye.

Rovers were a goal down at the interval, but Benni McCarthy grabbed an equaliser before Bentley fired home a sublime late winner from 20 yards.

Little said: "That really kick-started Bentley's season. He's scored some good goals. He's a danger from out wide and at free-kicks.

"Bentley's a threat, but we know that. We know he gets good crosses into the box and we'll have to deal with that."

And while Bentley will be hoping to continue his rich vein of form, Little has warned that Reading must not ignore the qualities of Morten Gamst Pedersen on the opposite flank.

Although Pedersen has struggled to hit the heights of previous seasons at Ewood Park, and has recently been dropped by Rovers manager Mark Hughes, the Norweigan international is capable of turning a game which a stroke of magic.

"It must be great for Blackburn's strikers when you've got Bentley and Pedersen providing quality balls," said Little. "They are two of the best when they are on form.

"Bentley is a bit more tricky on the ball, while Pedersen is more direct and likes to score goals. But saying that, Bentley is scoring more.

"Blackburn like to get crosses in and they've got good centre-forwards. They are similar to ourselves.

"It's good to see Blackburn using two wingers. When I was at Burnley, it was the same, it gives you that balance and cutting edge.

"Obviously, it's got to be effective wing-play. You can't just run down the wing at 100mph and then put a cross over the bar."